diff --git a/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py b/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
index 3580963d4..cf4123a5a 100644
--- a/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
+++ b/freqtrade/freqai/freqai_interface.py
@@ -306,10 +306,11 @@ class IFreqaiModel(ABC):
             if dk.check_if_backtest_prediction_is_valid(len_backtest_df):
                 if check_features:
                     self.dd.load_metadata(dk)
-                    dataframe_dummy_features = self.dk.use_strategy_to_populate_indicators(
+                    df_fts = self.dk.use_strategy_to_populate_indicators(
                         strategy, prediction_dataframe=dataframe.tail(1), pair=pair
                     )
-                    dk.find_features(dataframe_dummy_features)
+                    df_fts = dk.remove_special_chars_from_feature_names(df_fts)
+                    dk.find_features(df_fts)
                     self.check_if_feature_list_matches_strategy(dk)
                     check_features = False
                 append_df = dk.get_backtesting_prediction()