diff --git a/R/add_header_above.R b/R/add_header_above.R
index c452288..b2be297 100644
--- a/R/add_header_above.R
+++ b/R/add_header_above.R
@@ -126,8 +126,7 @@
   table_info <- magic_mirror(kable_input)
   header <- standardize_header_input(header)
   if (escape) {
-    header$header <- escape_latex(header$header)
-    header$header <- gsub("\\\\", "\\\\\\\\", header$header)
+    header$header <- escape_latex2(header$header)
   }
   hline_type <- switch(table_info$booktabs + 1, "\\\\hline", "\\\\toprule")
   new_header_split <- pdfTable_new_header_generator(header, table_info$booktabs,