diff --git a/man2/stat.2 b/man2/stat.2
index b8343c71b..d8176ae38 100644
--- a/man2/stat.2
+++ b/man2/stat.2
@@ -75,9 +75,8 @@ These functions return information about a file.
 No permissions are required on the file itself, but\(emin the case of
 .BR stat ()
 and
-.BR lstat ()
-\(em
-execute (search) permission is required on all of the directories in
+.BR lstat ()\(emexecute
+(search) permission is required on all of the directories in
 .I path
 that lead to the file.
 .PP