diff --git a/after/syntax/gitlab.vim b/after/syntax/gitlab.vim
index c74943ed..31ab510c 100644
--- a/after/syntax/gitlab.vim
+++ b/after/syntax/gitlab.vim
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ let state = ' \%(' . published . '\|' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_draft . '\)'
 execute 'syntax match GitlabNoteHeader "' . expanders . username . state . '" contains=GitlabDate,GitlabUnresolved,GitlabResolved,GitlabExpander,GitlabDraft,GitlabUsername'
 
 execute 'syntax match GitlabDate "' . date . '" contained'
-execute 'syntax match GitlabUnresolved "\s' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_unresolved . '\s\?" contained'
-execute 'syntax match GitlabResolved "\s' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_resolved . '\s\?" contained'
+execute 'syntax match GitlabUnresolved "' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_unresolved . '" contained'
+execute 'syntax match GitlabResolved "' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_resolved . '" contained'
 execute 'syntax match GitlabExpander "' . expanders . '" contained'
 execute 'syntax match GitlabDraft "' . g:gitlab_discussion_tree_draft . '" contained'
 execute 'syntax match GitlabUsername "' . username . '" contained'
-execute 'syntax match GitlabMention "\%(' . expanders . '\)\@<!' . username . '"'
+execute 'syntax match GitlabMention "' . username . '"'
 
 let b:current_syntax = 'gitlab'