diff --git a/hy/lex/states.py b/hy/lex/states.py
index 52d6fa3..005e905 100644
--- a/hy/lex/states.py
+++ b/hy/lex/states.py
@@ -284,6 +284,9 @@ class Idle(State):
         if char == "#":
             return Hash
 
+        if char == "\"":
+            return String
+
         if char in WHITESPACE:
             return