diff --git a/mode/dir.py b/mode/dir.py
index dcbf7a2..170de20 100644
--- a/mode/dir.py
+++ b/mode/dir.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class DirOpen(Method):
 class DirGrep(Method):
     args = [Argument('pattern', datatype="str", prompt="Pattern: ")]
     def _execute(self, w, **vargs):
-        cmd = 'grep -rEl "%s" %r' % (vargs['pattern'], w.buffer.path)
+        cmd = 'grep -rEl -- "%s" %r' % (vargs['pattern'], w.buffer.path)
         (status, output) = commands.getstatusoutput(cmd)
 
         paths = []