diff --git a/local/lib/org-x/org-x.el b/local/lib/org-x/org-x.el
index 08ca3b8..03b312e 100644
--- a/local/lib/org-x/org-x.el
+++ b/local/lib/org-x/org-x.el
@@ -293,11 +293,16 @@ the current time."
 
 ;; helper function
 
+(defun org-x--forward-stars ()
+  "Move point forward until a star is not encountered."
+  (forward-char 1)
+  (while (= ?* (following-char))
+    (forward-char 1)))
+
 (defun org-x--headline-get-level ()
   "Return level of the current headline.
 Assumes point is at the start of a headline."
   (save-excursion
-    (forward-char 1)
     (while (= ?* (following-char)) (forward-char 1))
     (current-column)))
 
@@ -328,9 +333,11 @@ to the children one level down from the current headline."
                    (<= target-level cur-level)
                    (= 0 (forward-line 1)))
          (when (= ?* (following-char))
-           (setq cur-level (org-x--headline-get-level))
-           (when (= cur-level target-level)
-             ,@body))))))
+           (org-x--forward-stars)
+           (when (= 32 (following-char))
+             (setq cur-level (current-column))
+             (when (= cur-level target-level)
+               ,@body)))))))
 
 (defun org-x--headline-has-children (test-fun)
   "Return t if heading has a child for whom TEST-FUN is t.
diff --git a/local/lib/org-x/test/org-x-test.el b/local/lib/org-x/test/org-x-test.el
index dac56c4..1c1e89a 100644
--- a/local/lib/org-x/test/org-x-test.el
+++ b/local/lib/org-x/test/org-x-test.el
@@ -238,9 +238,12 @@ Forms are denoted like %(FORM)%."
    "CLOSED: %(org-x-gen-ts (- (* (1+ org-x-archive-delay) 24 60 60)))%")
   => :archivable
 
+  ;; the bold thingy should make this choke unless we specifically detect stars
+  ;; with a space after them
   "done-incomplete (subtask TODO)"
   ("* DONE project"
    "CLOSED: %(org-x-gen-ts (- (* (1+ org-x-archive-delay) 24 60 60)))%"
+   "*bold thingy*"
    "** TODO task 1")
   => :done-incomplete