diff --git a/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py b/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
index 953fc53..eb1d8fd 100644
--- a/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
+++ b/tools/python/jwutils/stree/serdes.py
@@ -1,13 +1,28 @@
 from StringTree import *
 from jwutils.log import *
 
+def _cleanup_line(line):
+    line = line.strip()
+    r = ''
+    in_quote = None
+    for c in line:
+        if c == in_quote:
+            in_quote = None
+        else:
+            if c in [ '"', "'" ]:
+                in_quote = c
+            elif c == '#':
+                return r.strip()
+        r += c
+    return r
+
 def parse(s): # export
     slog(DEBUG, "parsing", s)
     root = StringTree('', content='root')
     sec = ''
     for line in s.splitlines():
         slog(DEBUG, "line=", line)
-        line = line.strip()
+        line = _cleanup_line(line)
         if not len(line):
             continue
         if line[0] == '[':