diff --git a/acinclude.m4 b/acinclude.m4
index 1948e7b1b..18f78adbe 100644
--- a/acinclude.m4
+++ b/acinclude.m4
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ dnl Check for headers if check not already done.
 AC_DEFUN([CURL_CHECK_HEADERS_ONCE], [
   for f_hdr in $1
   do
-    u_hdr=`echo "$f_hdr" | sed 's/[\-|\.|\/]/_/g'`
+    u_hdr=`echo "$f_hdr" | sed 's/[-|\.|\/]/_/g'`
     eval prev_check_res=\$ac_cv_header_$u_hdr
     case "$prev_check_res" in
       yes | no)
diff --git a/ares/acinclude.m4 b/ares/acinclude.m4
index 02930ad25..e81f6a4b8 100644
--- a/ares/acinclude.m4
+++ b/ares/acinclude.m4
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ dnl Check for headers if check not already done.
 AC_DEFUN([CURL_CHECK_HEADERS_ONCE], [
   for f_hdr in $1
   do
-    u_hdr=`echo "$f_hdr" | sed 's/[\-|\.|\/]/_/g'`
+    u_hdr=`echo "$f_hdr" | sed 's/[-|\.|\/]/_/g'`
     eval prev_check_res=\$ac_cv_header_$u_hdr
     case "$prev_check_res" in
       yes | no)