diff --git a/pytools/__init__.py b/pytools/__init__.py
index 394bb8730b45b6ce86e4a5c44473081083cc8bea..1afa12b13256d61a042ff4d9d0caf4de787eab85 100644
--- a/pytools/__init__.py
+++ b/pytools/__init__.py
@@ -1530,7 +1530,7 @@ class Table:
             >>> tbl.add_row([1, '|'])
             >>> tbl.add_row([10, 20])
             >>> s = tbl.github_markdown().splitlines()
-            >>> assert s[0] == "1  | \|"
+            >>> assert s[0] == "1  | \\|"
             >>> assert s[1] == ":--|---:"
             >>> assert s[2] == "10 | 20"