diff --git a/dcm2bids/sidecar.py b/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
index a973765b..bb99d4b3 100644
--- a/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
+++ b/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
@@ -175,10 +175,11 @@ def isLink(self, data, criteria):
         """
 
         def compare(name, pattern):
+            name = str(name)
             if self.searchMethod == "re":
-                return bool(re.search(pattern, name))
+                return bool(re.match(pattern, name))
             else:
-                name = str(name)
+
                 pattern = str(pattern)
                 if not self.caseSensitive:
                     name = name.lower()