diff --git a/lib/ace/ext/language_tools.js b/lib/ace/ext/language_tools.js
index b6cc9d0d..39b1946a 100644
--- a/lib/ace/ext/language_tools.js
+++ b/lib/ace/ext/language_tools.js
@@ -126,7 +126,9 @@ var doLiveAutocomplete = function(e) {
     completers.forEach(function(completer){
         if(completer.identifierRegexprs){
             completer.identifierRegexprs.forEach(function(identifierRegex){
-                prefix = util.retrievePrecedingIdentifier(line, pos.column, identifierRegex);
+                if(!prefix) {
+                    prefix = util.retrievePrecedingIdentifier(line, pos.column, identifierRegex);
+                }
             });
         }
     });