diff --git a/herbstluftwm/panel_content.py b/herbstluftwm/panel_content.py
index 99b06fa..3a3ea44 100755
--- a/herbstluftwm/panel_content.py
+++ b/herbstluftwm/panel_content.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import hl_utils
 import string
+import re
 
 sep = " | "
 
@@ -89,6 +90,9 @@ def irc():
                         user = tmp[-1].split(" ")[1][:15]
                         if not "%push" in msg:
                                 return ""
+                        pattern = re.compile("(\^+fg[(]+#[0-9]+[)]+)|\n|\r|\t")
+                        msg = re.sub(pattern,msg,"ESC_SEQ")
+                        user = re.sub(pattern,user,"ESC_SEQ")
                         ret_string = "MSG FROM: "+user+"-> "+msg.rstrip('\n')+" -  [ "+str(len(tmp))+" total ]"
                         return color_panel(ret_string,RED)
                 except(IOError):