diff --git a/doc/node.1 b/doc/node.1
index ee1259305651f0..1a3a98f158f9ed 100644
--- a/doc/node.1
+++ b/doc/node.1
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ and servers.
 .SH ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
 
 .IP NODE_PATH
-':'-separated list of directories prefixed to the module search path,
+\':\'\-separated list of directories prefixed to the module search path,
 require.paths.
 
 .IP NODE_MODULE_CONTEXTS