diff --git a/src/evalfunc.c b/src/evalfunc.c
index b7d7643..39706cd 100644
--- a/src/evalfunc.c
+++ b/src/evalfunc.c
@@ -8543,6 +8543,9 @@
 	    if (!do_skip)
 		break;
 	}
+
+	// clear the start flag to avoid getting stuck here
+	options &= ~SEARCH_START;
     }
 
     if (subpatnum != FAIL)