diff --git a/apps/journal/app/routes/auth.register.tsx b/apps/journal/app/routes/auth.register.tsx
index b3bbcf6..8d1ca15 100644
--- a/apps/journal/app/routes/auth.register.tsx
+++ b/apps/journal/app/routes/auth.register.tsx
@@ -87,9 +87,8 @@ export default function RegisterPage() {
             id="username"
             type="text"
             required
-            pattern="[a-z0-9_-]+"
             value={username}
-            onChange={(e) => setUsername(e.target.value.toLowerCase())}
+            onChange={(e) => setUsername(e.target.value.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9_-]/g, ""))}
             className="mt-1 block w-full rounded-md border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 shadow-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:outline-none focus:ring-1 focus:ring-blue-500"
             placeholder="alice"
           />