diff --git a/aider/coders/editblock_coder.py b/aider/coders/editblock_coder.py
index d8f85da52..37d40d97c 100644
--- a/aider/coders/editblock_coder.py
+++ b/aider/coders/editblock_coder.py
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def do_replace(fname, content, before_text, after_text, fence=None):
     return new_content
 
 
-HEAD = r"^<{5,9} SEARCH\s*$"
+HEAD = r"^<{5,9} SEARCH>?\s*$"
 DIVIDER = r"^={5,9}\s*$"
 UPDATED = r"^>{5,9} REPLACE\s*$"