diff --git a/src/ircutils.py b/src/ircutils.py
index 62ae43219..6d1af4f49 100644
--- a/src/ircutils.py
+++ b/src/ircutils.py
@@ -156,9 +156,10 @@ def bold(s):
 def validArgument(s):
     return '\r' not in s and '\n' not in s and '\x00' not in s
 
+nonFunkyArguments = string.printable+'\x02'
 def funkyArgument(s):
     if validArgument(s):
-        if s.translate(string.ascii, string.printable) == '':
+        if s.translate(string.ascii, nonFunkyArguments) == '':
             # All characters must be printable.
             return False
         else: