diff --git a/pytest_sphinx.py b/pytest_sphinx.py
index d3c6de3..d55cbc7 100644
--- a/pytest_sphinx.py
+++ b/pytest_sphinx.py
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ def _is_doctest(config, path, parent):
 _OPTION_SKIPIF_RE = re.compile(r':skipif:\s*([^\n\'"]*)$')
 
 _DIRECTIVE_RE = re.compile(
-    r"\s*\.\. ("
-    r"testcode|testoutput|testsetup|testcleanup|doctest"
-    r')::\s*([^\n\'"]*)$'
+    r"\s*\.\.\s"
+    r"(testcode|testoutput|testsetup|testcleanup|doctest)"
+    r'::\s*([^\n\'"]*)$', re.VERBOSE
 )