diff --git a/doc/hgmanpage.py b/doc/hgmanpage.py
--- a/doc/hgmanpage.py
+++ b/doc/hgmanpage.py
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@
         tmpl = (".TH %(title_upper)s %(manual_section)s"
                 " \"%(date)s\" \"%(version)s\" \"%(manual_group)s\"\n"
                 ".SH NAME\n"
-                "%(title)s \- %(subtitle)s\n")
+                "%(title)s \\- %(subtitle)s\n")
         return tmpl % self._docinfo
 
     def append_header(self):