diff --git a/roles/mongodb/tasks/install.yml b/roles/mongodb/tasks/install.yml
index 71e111b2e..953d8b119 100644
--- a/roles/mongodb/tasks/install.yml
+++ b/roles/mongodb/tasks/install.yml
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@
   - name: Change {{ mongodb_conf }} port to {{ mongodb_port }} -- takes effect on next (re)start of the service -- via enable-or-disable.yml or via sugarizer.service auto-starting MongoDB on demand
     lineinfile:
       path: "{{ mongodb_conf }}"
-      regexp: "port: 27017"
-      backrefs: yes
+      regexp: '^\s*port:' # \s = any whitespace char. stackoverflow.com/a/38491899
+      #backrefs: yes
       line: "  port: {{ mongodb_port }}"    # 27018
 
   # end block