diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index e528d5c..734f07e 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -8175,7 +8175,7 @@ expand_alias_definition (const struct str *definition, const char *arguments,
 	{
 		if (escape)
 		{
-			p = expand_alias_escape (p, arguments, &expanded);
+			p = expand_alias_escape (p, arguments, &expanded) - 1;
 			escape = false;
 		}
 		else if (*p == ';')