diff --git a/lisp/net/ange-ftp.el b/lisp/net/ange-ftp.el
index 4bf87c14f31..b8e8c3f0c33 100644
--- a/lisp/net/ange-ftp.el
+++ b/lisp/net/ange-ftp.el
@@ -2164,7 +2164,7 @@ Create a new process if needed."
       proc)))
 
 (defun ange-ftp-passive-mode (proc on-or-off)
-  (if (string-match (concat "Passive mode " on-or-off)
+  (if (string-match (concat "Passive mode:? " on-or-off)
                     (cdr (ange-ftp-raw-send-cmd
                           proc (concat "passive " on-or-off)
                           "Trying passive mode..." nil)))