diff --git a/src/read.lisp b/src/read.lisp
index 985c413..79ad2ff 100644
--- a/src/read.lisp
+++ b/src/read.lisp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ This list maps section names to hash-tables of the settings in the section."
   "Split the given key=value line into an associated pair
 and add it to the given hash-table"
 
-  (ppcre:register-groups-bind (systemd-variable setting-value ) ("(.*)=(.*)" line)
+  (ppcre:register-groups-bind (systemd-variable setting-value ) ("^(?!#)([^=]*)=(.*)" line)
     (if (string/= setting-value "nil")
     (setf (gethash systemd-variable value-table ) setting-value )
     (remhash systemd-variable value-table))))