diff --git a/frigate/http.py b/frigate/http.py
index 59cc7dd0d..862393037 100644
--- a/frigate/http.py
+++ b/frigate/http.py
@@ -640,7 +640,11 @@ def events():
             sub_label_clauses.append((Event.sub_label.is_null()))
 
         for label in filtered_sub_labels:
-            sub_label_clauses.append((Event.sub_label.cast("text") % f"*{label}*"))
+            sub_label_clauses.append((Event.sub_label.cast("text") == label)) # include exact matches
+
+            # include this label when part of a list
+            sub_label_clauses.append((Event.sub_label.cast("text") % f"*{label},*"))
+            sub_label_clauses.append((Event.sub_label.cast("text") % f"*, {label}*"))
 
         sub_label_clause = reduce(operator.or_, sub_label_clauses)
         clauses.append((sub_label_clause))