diff --git a/utils/appveyor/irc-notify.py b/utils/appveyor/irc-notify.py
index d3b9195e5d20..c629cb57a90f 100644
--- a/utils/appveyor/irc-notify.py
+++ b/utils/appveyor/irc-notify.py
@@ -149,12 +149,12 @@ def appveyor_vars():
         elif response[1] == '001':
             time.sleep(5)
             # join the channel
-            irc_sock.send('JOIN {}\r\n'.format(channel).encode())
+            irc_sock.send('JOIN #{}\r\n'.format(channel).encode())
             # send messages
             for msg in messages:
                 print('NOTICE #{} :{}'.format(channel, msg))
                 irc_sock.send('NOTICE #{} :{}\r\n'.format(channel, msg).encode())
             time.sleep(5)
             # leave the channel
-            irc_sock.send('PART {}\r\n'.format(channel).encode())
+            irc_sock.send('PART #{}\r\n'.format(channel).encode())
             sys.exit()