--- loncom/interface/loncreateuser.pm	2008/06/04 21:24:20	1.242
+++ loncom/interface/loncreateuser.pm	2008/06/05 12:55:04	1.243
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Create a user
 #
-# $Id: loncreateuser.pm,v 1.242 2008/06/04 21:24:20 bisitz Exp $
+# $Id: loncreateuser.pm,v 1.243 2008/06/05 12:55:04 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -3669,7 +3669,13 @@ sub user_search_result {
     if (($srch->{'srchin'} eq 'dom') || ($srch->{'srchin'} eq 'crs') ||
         ($srch->{'srchin'} eq 'alc')) {
         if ($srch->{'srchby'} eq 'uname') {
-            if ($srch->{'srchterm'} !~ /^$match_username$/) {
+            my $unamecheck = $srch->{'srchterm'};
+            if ($srch->{'srchtype'} eq 'contains') {
+                if ($unamecheck !~ /^\w/) {
+                    $unamecheck = 'a'.$unamecheck; 
+                }
+            }
+            if ($unamecheck !~ /^$match_username$/) {
                 $response = &mt('You must specify a valid username. Only the following are allowed: letters numbers - . @');
             }
         }