diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 5da7e9f..7fc63eb 100755
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class Irc():
         # capability information is received. This handling of irc.connected
         # is also dependent on the protocol module.
         self.maxnicklen = 30
-        self.prefixmodes = 'ov'
+        self.prefixmodes = {'o': '@', 'v': '+'}
 
         # Uplink SID (filled in by protocol module)
         self.uplink = None
diff --git a/protocols/inspircd.py b/protocols/inspircd.py
index 3867e65..8823af7 100644
--- a/protocols/inspircd.py
+++ b/protocols/inspircd.py
@@ -535,7 +535,9 @@ def handle_events(irc, data):
                 = caps['CHANMODES'].split(',')
             irc.umodes['*A'], irc.umodes['*B'], irc.umodes['*C'], irc.umodes['*D'] \
                 = caps['USERMODES'].split(',')
-            irc.prefixmodes = re.search(r'\((.*?)\)', caps['PREFIX']).group(1)
+            prefixsearch = re.search(r'\(([A-Za-z]+)\)(.*)', caps['PREFIX'])
+            irc.prefixmodes = dict(zip(prefixsearch.group(1), prefixsearch.group(2)))
+            log.debug('(%s) irc.prefixmodes set to %r', irc.name, irc.prefixmodes)
             # Sanity check: set this AFTER we fetch the capabilities for the network!
             irc.connected.set()
     try: