diff --git a/src/lex.c b/src/lex.c
index 96c7ccee..c73bc40f 100644
--- a/src/lex.c
+++ b/src/lex.c
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ literalchar(pp, pcode, term)
 	}
       else
 	{
-	  warni (_("unknown escape sequence: `\\' followed by `%s'"),
+	  warns (_("unknown escape sequence: `\\' followed by `%s'"),
 		 printable_version(c));
 	  code = '?';
 	}