diff --git a/src/tidyFootnotes.ts b/src/tidyFootnotes.ts
index bc365d3..0c73140 100644
--- a/src/tidyFootnotes.ts
+++ b/src/tidyFootnotes.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Editor } from 'obsidian';
 
 const reKey = /\[\^(.+?(?=\]))\]/gi;
-const reDefinition = /\[\^(.+)\]\:/;
+const reDefinition = /^\[\^([^\]]+)\]\:/;
 
 /** An existing footnote key or definition. */
 interface Marker {