diff --git a/tests/trestle/core/control_io_test.py b/tests/trestle/core/control_io_test.py
index 9c262a768..72564c5a2 100644
--- a/tests/trestle/core/control_io_test.py
+++ b/tests/trestle/core/control_io_test.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 case_3 = 'indent end abrupt'
 case_4 = 'no items'
 
-control_text = """---
+control_text = r"""---
 x-trestle-global:
   sort-id: xy-09
 ---
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def test_read_write_controls(
     part_b3 = common.Part(id='ac-1_smt.b.3', name='item', prose='b.3 prose', props=[prop])
     prop.value = 'c'
     part_c = common.Part(id='ac-1_smt.c', name='item', prose='c prose', props=[prop])
-    sec_1_text = """
+    sec_1_text = r"""
 General comment
 on separate lines
 
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ def test_merge_control_update(tmp_path: pathlib.Path, testdata_dir: pathlib.Path
     assert context.comp_dict['This System']['d.'].status.state == 'planned', 'New template state must be merged'
 
 
-statement_text = """
+statement_text = r"""
 
 
 # xy-9 - \[My Group Title\] Fancy Control
diff --git a/trestle/core/control_interface.py b/trestle/core/control_interface.py
index 71fe3c456..ab3c4c95e 100644
--- a/trestle/core/control_interface.py
+++ b/trestle/core/control_interface.py
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ class ControlInterface:
 
     @staticmethod
     def _wrap_label(label: str):
-        l_side = '\['
-        r_side = '\]'
+        l_side = r'\['
+        r_side = r'\]'
         wrapped = '' if label == '' else f'{l_side}{label}{r_side}'
         return wrapped
 
diff --git a/trestle/core/control_writer.py b/trestle/core/control_writer.py
index f05b2313c..00bd5ccc3 100644
--- a/trestle/core/control_writer.py
+++ b/trestle/core/control_writer.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def _add_control_statement(self, control: cat.Control, group_title: str, print_g
         control_title = control.title
 
         if print_group_title:
-            group_name = ' \[' + group_title + '\]'
+            group_name = r' \[' + group_title + r'\]'
 
         title = f'{control_id} -{group_name} {control_title}'