diff --git a/man3/termios.3 b/man3/termios.3
index 4eae6a392..a37a1722d 100644
--- a/man3/termios.3
+++ b/man3/termios.3
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ The effect of a non-zero \fIduration\fP with
 .BR tcsendbreak ()
 varies.
 SunOS specifies a break of
-.IB duration * N
+.I "duration\ *\ N"
 seconds, where \fIN\fP is at least 0.25, and not more than 0.5.
 Linux, AIX, DU, Tru64 send a break of
 .I duration