diff --git a/src/miscbltin.c b/src/miscbltin.c
index 5ab1648..f8c5655 100644
--- a/src/miscbltin.c
+++ b/src/miscbltin.c
@@ -101,7 +101,6 @@ readcmd_handle_line(char *line, char **ap, size_t len)
 			 * will not modify the length of the string */
 			offset = sl->text - s;
 			remainder = backup + offset;
-			rmescapes(remainder);
 			setvar(*ap, remainder, 0);
 
 			return;