diff --git a/language/io/encodings/8-bit/8-bit.factor b/language/io/encodings/8-bit/8-bit.factor
index e3a5160f0c..dd648534dd 100644
--- a/language/io/encodings/8-bit/8-bit.factor
+++ b/language/io/encodings/8-bit/8-bit.factor
@@ -54,4 +54,4 @@ M: 8-bit-encoding <decoder>
 
 PRIVATE>
 
-SYNTAX: 8-BIT: scan-token scan-token scan-token load-encoding ;
+SYNTAX: \ 8-BIT: scan-token scan-token scan-token load-encoding ;