diff --git a/src/cmdexpand.c b/src/cmdexpand.c
index 5ba6b08..defc282 100644
--- a/src/cmdexpand.c
+++ b/src/cmdexpand.c
@@ -3707,7 +3707,12 @@
 # endif
     }
 
-    pat = addstar(xpc.xp_pattern, xpc.xp_pattern_len, xpc.xp_context);
+    if (cmdline_fuzzy_completion_supported(&xpc))
+       // when fuzzy matching, don't modify the search string
+       pat = vim_strsave(xpc.xp_pattern);
+    else
+       pat = addstar(xpc.xp_pattern, xpc.xp_pattern_len, xpc.xp_context);
+
     if ((rettv_list_alloc(rettv) != FAIL) && (pat != NULL))
     {
 	int	i;