diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/macos.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/macos.py
index 3e5c235522..c32cbd41a9 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tts/macos.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tts/macos.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class Client:
     def speak_simple_text(self, text):
         self.current_callback = None
         self.pending_events = []
-        self.nsss.speak(text.replace('[[', '[').replace(']]', ']'))
+        self.nsss.speak(self.escape_marked_text(text))
 
     def speak_marked_text(self, text, callback):
         self.current_callback = callback