diff --git a/sbin/sysctl/sysctl.8 b/sbin/sysctl/sysctl.8
index a58cfd02025f..c0b68d2fc24b 100644
--- a/sbin/sysctl/sysctl.8
+++ b/sbin/sysctl/sysctl.8
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ Force the value of the variable(s) to be output in raw, binary format.
 No names are printed and no terminating newlines are output.
 This is mostly useful with a single variable.
 .It Fl e
-Separate the name and the value of the variable(s) with `='.
+Separate the name and the value of the variable(s) with
+.Ql = .
 This is useful for producing output which can be fed back to the
 .Nm
 utility.