diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.core.persistence/src/main/java/org/openhab/core/persistence/registry/PersistenceServiceConfigurationDTOMapper.java b/bundles/org.openhab.core.persistence/src/main/java/org/openhab/core/persistence/registry/PersistenceServiceConfigurationDTOMapper.java
index 057490a92..a2c2be880 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.core.persistence/src/main/java/org/openhab/core/persistence/registry/PersistenceServiceConfigurationDTOMapper.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.core.persistence/src/main/java/org/openhab/core/persistence/registry/PersistenceServiceConfigurationDTOMapper.java
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public class PersistenceServiceConfigurationDTOMapper {
             return new PersistenceGroupConfig(string.substring(0, string.length() - 1));
         } else {
             if (string.startsWith("!")) {
-                return new PersistenceItemExcludeConfig(string.substring(1, string.length() - 1));
+                return new PersistenceItemExcludeConfig(string.substring(1));
             }
             return new PersistenceItemConfig(string);
         }