diff --git a/devscripts/prepare_manpage.py b/devscripts/prepare_manpage.py
index f9fe63f1ff..76bf873e1b 100644
--- a/devscripts/prepare_manpage.py
+++ b/devscripts/prepare_manpage.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import re
 ROOT_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
 README_FILE = os.path.join(ROOT_DIR, 'README.md')
 
-PREFIX = '''%YOUTUBE-DL(1)
+PREFIX = r'''%YOUTUBE-DL(1)
 
 # NAME