diff --git a/pytimeparse/tests/testtimeparse.py b/pytimeparse/tests/testtimeparse.py
index c305bb5..29f4cef 100644
--- a/pytimeparse/tests/testtimeparse.py
+++ b/pytimeparse/tests/testtimeparse.py
@@ -83,6 +83,10 @@ class TestTimeparse(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(timeparse.timeparse('- 32 m 1 s'), -1921)
         self.assertIsNone(timeparse.timeparse('32 m - 1 s'))
         self.assertIsNone(timeparse.timeparse('32 m + 1 s'))
+        # A stray pipe is not a valid sign and must not be silently accepted.
+        self.assertIsNone(timeparse.timeparse('|5m'))
+        self.assertIsNone(timeparse.timeparse('| 5m'))
+        self.assertIsNone(timeparse.timeparse('|1:24'))
 
     def test_timeparse_1(self):
         '''timeparse test case 1.'''
diff --git a/pytimeparse/timeparse.py b/pytimeparse/timeparse.py
index ace5cc3..346596f 100644
--- a/pytimeparse/timeparse.py
+++ b/pytimeparse/timeparse.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ kinds of time expressions.
 
 import re
 
-SIGN        = r'(?P<sign>[+|-])?'
+SIGN        = r'(?P<sign>[+-])?'
 #YEARS      = r'(?P<years>\d+)\s*(?:ys?|yrs?.?|years?)'
 #MONTHS     = r'(?P<months>\d+)\s*(?:mos?.?|mths?.?|months?)'
 WEEKS       = r'(?P<weeks>[\d.]+)\s*(?:w|wks?|weeks?)'