diff --git a/bin/funannotate-predict.py b/bin/funannotate-predict.py
index 34e058ef..46e4c6d7 100755
--- a/bin/funannotate-predict.py
+++ b/bin/funannotate-predict.py
@@ -289,6 +289,8 @@ def which_path(file_name):
 #now check the inputs
 for i in input_checks:
     if i:
+        if ':' in i:
+            i = i.split(':')[0]
         lib.checkinputs(i)
 
 #convert PASA GFF and/or GFF pass-through