diff --git a/lib/csv.rb b/lib/csv.rb
index 509e978..c818801 100644
--- a/lib/csv.rb
+++ b/lib/csv.rb
@@ -1867,7 +1867,7 @@ def shift
             csv.last << part
             csv.last << @col_sep
           end
-        elsif part[0] == @quote_char
+        elsif part.start_with?(@quote_char)
           # If we are starting a new quoted column
           if part.count(@quote_char) % 2 != 0
             # start an extended column