diff --git a/src/conf_mode/service_suricata.py b/src/conf_mode/service_suricata.py
index 69b369e0b7..1ce1701458 100755
--- a/src/conf_mode/service_suricata.py
+++ b/src/conf_mode/service_suricata.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def visit(n, v):
         temporary_marks.add(n)
 
         for m in v.get('group', []):
-            m = m.lstrip('!')
+            m = m.lstrip('!').replace('-', '_')
             if m not in source:
                 raise ConfigError(f'Undefined referenced group "{m}"')
             visit(m, source[m])