diff --git a/src/robot_interface/endpoints/actuation_receiver.py b/src/robot_interface/endpoints/actuation_receiver.py
index 68b92c3..7444730 100644
--- a/src/robot_interface/endpoints/actuation_receiver.py
+++ b/src/robot_interface/endpoints/actuation_receiver.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class ActuationReceiver(ReceiverBase):
             try:
                 text = self._message_queue.get(timeout=0.1)
                 state.is_speaking = True
-                self._tts_service.say("\VCT={}\{}\RST\".format(settings.robot_config.voice_shaping, text))
+                self._tts_service.say("\\VCT={}\\{}\\RST\\".format(settings.robot_config.voice_shaping, text))
             except Queue.Empty:
                 state.is_speaking = False
             except RuntimeError: