diff --git a/.github/workflows/validate-lockfile.yml b/.github/workflows/validate-lockfile.yml
index 6eb0a63ca..59a6df96d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/validate-lockfile.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate-lockfile.yml
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ jobs:
 
           # 2) No unwanted vitepress paths
           if grep -qF 'packages/mermaid/src/vitepress' pnpm-lock.yaml; then
-            issues+=("• Disallowed path 'packages/mermaid/src/vitepress' present. Run `rm -rf packages/mermaid/src/vitepress && pnpm install` to regenerate.")
+            issues+=("• Disallowed path 'packages/mermaid/src/vitepress' present. Run \`rm -rf packages/mermaid/src/vitepress && pnpm install\` to regenerate.")
           fi
 
           # 3) Lockfile only changes when package.json changes