diff --git a/stdpopsim/slim_engine.py b/stdpopsim/slim_engine.py
index 8e4e7f3aa..63c76f6c8 100644
--- a/stdpopsim/slim_engine.py
+++ b/stdpopsim/slim_engine.py
@@ -1356,7 +1356,7 @@ def matrix2str(
     if logfile is not None:
         printsc(
             string.Template(_slim_logfile).substitute(
-                logfile=logfile,
+                logfile=_escape_eidos(str(logfile)),
                 loginterval=logfile_interval,
             )
         )