diff --git a/privs.lua b/privs.lua
index 11b7958..9e49862 100644
--- a/privs.lua
+++ b/privs.lua
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ yl_speak_up.npc_has_priv = function(n_id, priv_name, generic_npc_id)
 	if(not(n_id) or not(priv_name)) then
 		return false
 	end
+	-- remove the leading "_" from the n_id:
+	if(generic_npc_id) then
+		generic_npc_id = string.sub(generic_npc_id, 2)
+	end
 	-- if the precondition or effect come from a generic_npc and that
 	-- generic npc has the desired priv, then the priv has been granted
 	if(generic_npc_id