diff --git a/inline.go b/inline.go
index 3f39b52..567740c 100644
--- a/inline.go
+++ b/inline.go
@@ -919,15 +919,14 @@ func helperFindEmphChar(data []byte, c byte) int {
 		if i >= len(data) {
 			return 0
 		}
-		if data[i] == c {
-			return i
-		}
-
 		// do not count escaped chars
 		if i != 0 && data[i-1] == '\\' {
 			i++
 			continue
 		}
+		if data[i] == c {
+			return i
+		}
 
 		if data[i] == '`' {
 			// skip a code span
diff --git a/inline_test.go b/inline_test.go
index 3821d49..280b461 100644
--- a/inline_test.go
+++ b/inline_test.go
@@ -153,6 +153,9 @@ func TestEmphasis(t *testing.T) {
 
 		"mix of *markers_\n",
 		"<p>mix of *markers_</p>\n",
+
+		"*What is A\\* algorithm?*\n",
+		"<p><em>What is A* algorithm?</em></p>\n",
 	}
 	doTestsInline(t, tests)
 }