diff --git a/src/gmv/gmvault_db.py b/src/gmv/gmvault_db.py
index c06407a2..283a47b8 100755
--- a/src/gmv/gmvault_db.py
+++ b/src/gmv/gmvault_db.py
@@ -129,6 +129,9 @@ def _init_sub_chats_dir(self):
         if os.path.exists(self._chats_dir):
             dirs = os.listdir(self._chats_dir)
             for the_dir in dirs:
+                if the_dir.startswith('@') or the_dir.startswith('#'):
+                    continue
+                    
                 the_split = the_dir.split("-")
                 if len(the_split) != 2:
                     raise Exception("Should get 2 elements in %s" % the_split)