diff --git a/lisp/org-exp.el b/lisp/org-exp.el
index 392566aa9..9c6fdf4ce 100644
--- a/lisp/org-exp.el
+++ b/lisp/org-exp.el
@@ -1691,7 +1691,7 @@ When it is nil, all comments will be removed."
     (while (or (looking-at re)
 	       (re-search-forward re nil t))
       (setq pos (match-beginning 0))
-      (if (get-text-property (point) 'org-protected)
+      (if (get-text-property (match-beginning 1) 'org-protected)
 	  (goto-char (1+ pos))
 	(goto-char (1+ pos))
 	(replace-match "")