diff --git a/GTG/core/tasks.py b/GTG/core/tasks.py
index 012ab6db4..3af19aae8 100644
--- a/GTG/core/tasks.py
+++ b/GTG/core/tasks.py
@@ -939,7 +939,7 @@ def unparent(self, item_id: UUID, parent_id: UUID) -> None:
         parent = self.lookup[parent_id]
 
         # remove inline references to the former subtask
-        parent.content = re.sub(r'\{\!\s*'+str(item_id)+'\s*\!\}','',parent.content)
+        parent.content = re.sub(r'\{\!\s*'+str(item_id)+r'\s*\!\}','',parent.content)
 
         self.model.append(item)
         parent.notify('has_children')