diff --git a/src/ezdxf/tools/text.py b/src/ezdxf/tools/text.py
index 4502b5581..2372d9e07 100644
--- a/src/ezdxf/tools/text.py
+++ b/src/ezdxf/tools/text.py
@@ -1219,8 +1219,8 @@ def __init__(self, t: TokenType, ctx: MTextContext, data=None):
         self.data = data
 
 
-RE_FLOAT = re.compile(r"[+-]?\d+(:?\.\d*)?(:?[eE][+-]?\d+)?")
-RE_FLOAT_X = re.compile(r"[+-]?\d+(:?\.\d*)?(:?[eE][+-]?\d+)?([x]?)")
+RE_FLOAT = re.compile(r"[+-]?\d*(:?\.\d*)?(:?[eE][+-]?\d+)?")
+RE_FLOAT_X = re.compile(r"[+-]?\d*(:?\.\d*)?(:?[eE][+-]?\d+)?([x]?)")
 
 CHAR_TO_ALIGN = {
     "l": MTextParagraphAlignment.LEFT,
@@ -1548,6 +1548,10 @@ def extract_float_expression(self, relative=False) -> str:
             start, end = match.span()
             result = tail[start:end]
             self.scanner.consume(end)
+
+        if result.startswith("."):
+            return "0" + result
+
         return result
 
     def extract_int_expression(self) -> str: