diff --git a/lisp/ox-man.el b/lisp/ox-man.el
index 8396df64d..6fb3041d5 100644
--- a/lisp/ox-man.el
+++ b/lisp/ox-man.el
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ This function shouldn't be used for floats.  See
 
 (defun org-man--protect-text (text)
   "Protect minus and backslash characters in string TEXT."
-  (replace-regexp-in-string "-" "\\-" nil t))
+  (replace-regexp-in-string "-" "\\-" text nil t))