diff --git a/lib/ExpensiMark.js b/lib/ExpensiMark.js
index 94bc7f68..8533148a 100644
--- a/lib/ExpensiMark.js
+++ b/lib/ExpensiMark.js
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ export default class ExpensiMark {
                 // \B will match everything that \b doesn't, so it works
                 // for * and ~: https://www.rexegg.com/regex-boundaries.html#notb
                 name: 'bold',
-                regex: /\B\*((?![\s*])[\s\S]*?[^\s*])\*\B(?![^<]*(<\/pre>|<\/code>|<\/a>))/g,
+                regex: /\B\*(?![^<]*(?:<\/pre>|<\/code>|<\/a>))((?![\s*])[\s\S]*?[^\s*])\*\B(?![^<]*(<\/pre>|<\/code>|<\/a>))/g,
                 replacement: (match, g1) => (g1.includes('</pre>') || this.containsNonPairTag(g1) ? match : `<strong>${g1}</strong>`),
             },
             {