diff --git a/core/config.py b/core/config.py
index ac8ebca..f92b16a 100644
--- a/core/config.py
+++ b/core/config.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ if not os.path.exists('config'):
               "channels": ["#test"]
             }
           },
+          "prefix": ".",
           "disabled_plugins": [],
           "disabled_commands": [],
           "acls": {},
diff --git a/core/main.py b/core/main.py
index b8fa3d2..38ebfa8 100644
--- a/core/main.py
+++ b/core/main.py
@@ -163,10 +163,11 @@ def main(conn, out):
 
     if inp.command == 'PRIVMSG':
         # COMMANDS
+        bot_prefix = re.escape(bot.config.get("prefix", "."))
         if inp.chan == inp.nick:  # private message, no command prefix
-            prefix = r'^(?:[.]?|'
+            prefix = r'^(?:['+bot_prefix+']?|'
         else:
-            prefix = r'^(?:[.]|'
+            prefix = r'^(?:['+bot_prefix+']|'
 
         command_re = prefix + inp.conn.nick
         command_re += r'[:,]+\s+)(\w+)(?:$|\s+)(.*)'