diff --git a/oletools/msodde.py b/oletools/msodde.py
index e7862cb..d235503 100644
--- a/oletools/msodde.py
+++ b/oletools/msodde.py
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ def process_ole_field(data):
     if data.lstrip().lower().startswith(u'dde'):
         #log.debug('--> is DDE!')
         return data
-    elif data.lstrip().lower().startswith(u'\00d\x00d\x00e\x00'):
+    elif data.lstrip().lower().startswith(u'\x00d\x00d\x00e\x00'):
         return data
     else:
         return u''