diff --git a/build-scripts/wikiheaders.pl b/build-scripts/wikiheaders.pl
index 4dd44f818b..768f42c83c 100755
--- a/build-scripts/wikiheaders.pl
+++ b/build-scripts/wikiheaders.pl
@@ -436,6 +436,7 @@ sub dewikify_chunk {
         }
     } elsif ($dewikify_mode eq 'manpage') {
         # make sure these can't become part of roff syntax.
+        $str =~ s/\\/\\(rs/gms;
         $str =~ s/\./\\[char46]/gms;
         $str =~ s/"/\\(dq/gms;
         $str =~ s/'/\\(aq/gms;