diff --git a/src/markdown.cpp b/src/markdown.cpp
index 6c5b4c8a050..6ff83442d16 100644
--- a/src/markdown.cpp
+++ b/src/markdown.cpp
@@ -589,8 +589,8 @@ static int processHtmlTag(GrowBuf &out,const char *data,int offset,int size)
 static int processEmphasis(GrowBuf &out,const char *data,int offset,int size)
 {
   if ((offset>0 && !isOpenEmphChar(-1)) || // invalid char before * or _
-      (size>1 && data[0]!=data[1] && !isIdChar(1)) || // invalid char after * or _
-      (size>2 && data[0]==data[1] && !isIdChar(2)))   // invalid char after ** or __
+      (size>1 && data[0]!=data[1] && !(isIdChar(1) || data[1]=='[')) || // invalid char after * or _
+      (size>2 && data[0]==data[1] && !(isIdChar(2) || data[2]=='[')))   // invalid char after ** or __
   {
     return 0;
   }