diff --git a/mdit_py_plugins/myst_blocks/index.py b/mdit_py_plugins/myst_blocks/index.py
index d0e4cf6..8a7c55a 100644
--- a/mdit_py_plugins/myst_blocks/index.py
+++ b/mdit_py_plugins/myst_blocks/index.py
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ def target(state: StateBlock, startLine: int, endLine: int, silent: bool):
         return False
     if not text.endswith(")="):
         return False
-    if not text[1:-2]:
+    content = text[1:-2]
+    if not content or "\\" in content:
         return False
 
     if silent:
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ def target(state: StateBlock, startLine: int, endLine: int, silent: bool):
 
     token = state.push("myst_target", "", 0)
     token.attrSet("class", "myst-target")
-    token.content = text[1:-2]
+    token.content = content
     token.map = [startLine, state.line]
 
     return True
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/myst_block.md b/tests/fixtures/myst_block.md
index 90bf9d3..e39472b 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/myst_block.md
+++ b/tests/fixtures/myst_block.md
@@ -69,6 +69,13 @@ Escaped target:
 <p>(a)=</p>
 .
 
+Escaped target 2:
+.
+(a\)=
+.
+<p>(a)=</p>
+.
+
 Indented target:
 .
   (a)=