diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
index d61ad5334e..fa1e794279 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger("BitBake.Data")
 
 __setvar_keyword__ = ["_append", "_prepend", "_remove"]
 __setvar_regexp__ = re.compile('(?P<base>.*?)(?P<keyword>_append|_prepend|_remove)(_(?P<add>.*))?$')
-__expand_var_regexp__ = re.compile(r"\${[^{}@\n\t ]+}")
+__expand_var_regexp__ = re.compile(r"\${[^{}@\n\t :]+}")
 __expand_python_regexp__ = re.compile(r"\${@.+?}")
 
 def infer_caller_details(loginfo, parent = False, varval = True):