diff --git a/admin/searchreindex.php b/admin/searchreindex.php
index d6abf48c8a2..c6ed03b3c4e 100644
--- a/admin/searchreindex.php
+++ b/admin/searchreindex.php
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ require_once($CFG->libdir . '/adminlib.php');
 admin_externalpage_setup('searchareas', '', null, (new moodle_url('/admin/searchreindex.php'))->out(false));
 
 // Get area parameter and check it exists.
-$areaid = required_param('areaid', PARAM_ALPHAEXT);
+$areaid = required_param('areaid', PARAM_ALPHANUMEXT);
 $area = \core_search\manager::get_search_area($areaid);
 if ($area === false) {
     throw new moodle_exception('invalidrequest');