diff --git a/lib/libc/stdio/scanf.3 b/lib/libc/stdio/scanf.3
index 319455a5fca2..8a8666ccfaa0 100644
--- a/lib/libc/stdio/scanf.3
+++ b/lib/libc/stdio/scanf.3
@@ -370,10 +370,10 @@ The string is to be made up of characters in
 (or not in)
 a particular set;
 the set is defined by the characters between the open bracket
-.Cm [
+.Cm \&[
 character
 and a close bracket
-.Cm ]
+.Cm \&]
 character.
 The set
 .Em excludes
diff --git a/lib/libc/stdio/wscanf.3 b/lib/libc/stdio/wscanf.3
index f696d3d64448..1dda777f1b5d 100644
--- a/lib/libc/stdio/wscanf.3
+++ b/lib/libc/stdio/wscanf.3
@@ -365,10 +365,10 @@ The string is to be made up of characters in
 (or not in)
 a particular set;
 the set is defined by the characters between the open bracket
-.Cm [
+.Cm \&[
 character
 and a close bracket
-.Cm ]
+.Cm \&]
 character.
 The set
 .Em excludes