diff --git a/packages/string-templates/src/conversion/index.js b/packages/string-templates/src/conversion/index.js
index bbe0c33942..30e2510b55 100644
--- a/packages/string-templates/src/conversion/index.js
+++ b/packages/string-templates/src/conversion/index.js
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ module.exports.convertHBSBlock = (block, blockNumber) => {
   const list = getHelperList()
   for (let layer of layers) {
     const parts = splitBySpace(layer)
-    if (value || parts.length > 1) {
+    if (value || parts.length > 1 || list[parts[0]]) {
       // first of layer should always be the helper
       const helper = parts.splice(0, 1)
       if (list[helper]) {