diff --git a/src/p_mobj.c b/src/p_mobj.c
index 7ba6d1fad..0e80496b5 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.c
+++ b/src/p_mobj.c
@@ -9835,7 +9835,7 @@ static void P_FlagFuseThink(mobj_t *mobj)
 	if (mobj->type == MT_REDFLAG)
 	{
 		if (!(mobj->flags2 & MF2_JUSTATTACKED))
-			CONS_Printf(M_GetText("The %c%s%c has returned to base.\n"), 0x85, M_GetText("Red flag"), 0x80);
+			CONS_Printf(M_GetText("The \205Red flag\200 has returned to base.\n"));
 
 		// Assumedly in splitscreen players will be on opposing teams
 		if (players[consoleplayer].ctfteam == 1 || splitscreen)
@@ -9848,7 +9848,7 @@ static void P_FlagFuseThink(mobj_t *mobj)
 	else // MT_BLUEFLAG
 	{
 		if (!(mobj->flags2 & MF2_JUSTATTACKED))
-			CONS_Printf(M_GetText("The %c%s%c has returned to base.\n"), 0x84, M_GetText("Blue flag"), 0x80);
+			CONS_Printf(M_GetText("The \204Blue flag\200 has returned to base.\n"));
 
 		// Assumedly in splitscreen players will be on opposing teams
 		if (players[consoleplayer].ctfteam == 2 || splitscreen)