--- loncom/interface/lonmsg.pm	2010/10/28 16:20:50	1.228
+++ loncom/interface/lonmsg.pm	2010/11/09 19:00:56	1.229
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Routines for messaging
 #
-# $Id: lonmsg.pm,v 1.228 2010/10/28 16:20:50 bisitz Exp $
+# $Id: lonmsg.pm,v 1.229 2010/11/09 19:00:56 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -985,6 +985,9 @@ sub secapply {
     my $rec=shift;
     my $defaultflag=shift;
     $rec=~s/\s+//g;
+    unless ($rec =~ /\:/) {
+        $rec=~s/\@/\:/g;
+    }
     my ($adr,$sections_or_groups)=($rec=~/^([^\(]+)\(([^\)]+)\)/);
     if ($sections_or_groups) {
 	foreach my $item (split(/\;/,$sections_or_groups)) {