diff --git a/src/Psalm/Internal/FileManipulation/FunctionDocblockManipulator.php b/src/Psalm/Internal/FileManipulation/FunctionDocblockManipulator.php
index df62239ea..84758ef6d 100644
--- a/src/Psalm/Internal/FileManipulation/FunctionDocblockManipulator.php
+++ b/src/Psalm/Internal/FileManipulation/FunctionDocblockManipulator.php
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ class FunctionDocblockManipulator
                 continue;
             }
 
-            if ($char === '\\' || preg_match('/\w/', $char)) {
+            if ($chars[$i + 1] === '\\' || preg_match('/\w/', $char)) {
                 if ($this->return_typehint_start === null) {
                     $this->return_typehint_start = $i + $end_bracket_position + 1;
                 }