diff --git a/cmd/zed/zed.d/zed-functions.sh b/cmd/zed/zed.d/zed-functions.sh
index d1ebf7dbcc..80c9fe6185 100644
--- a/cmd/zed/zed.d/zed-functions.sh
+++ b/cmd/zed/zed.d/zed-functions.sh
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ zed_notify_slack_webhook()
 
     # Construct the JSON message for posting.
     #
-    msg_json="$(printf '{"text": "*%s*\n%s"}' "${subject}" "${msg_body}" )"
+    msg_json="$(printf '{"text": "*%s*\\n%s"}' "${subject}" "${msg_body}" )"
 
     # Send the POST request and check for errors.
     #