diff --git a/detect_secrets/filters/heuristic.py b/detect_secrets/filters/heuristic.py
index ea70c315b..48ab1cc45 100644
--- a/detect_secrets/filters/heuristic.py
+++ b/detect_secrets/filters/heuristic.py
@@ -165,6 +165,8 @@ def is_indirect_reference(line: str) -> bool:
 
         secret = request.headers['apikey']
     """
+    if len(line) > 1000:
+        return False
     return bool(_get_indirect_reference_regex().search(line))