diff --git a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
index 3df3b006..47ca14ce 100644
--- a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
+++ b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ case $POWERLEVEL9K_MODE in
     VCS_TAG_ICON="\UE817 " # 
     VCS_BOOKMARK_ICON="\UE87B" # 
     VCS_COMMIT_ICON="\UE821 " # 
-    VCS_BRANCH_ICON="\UE220" # 
+    VCS_BRANCH_ICON=$'\UE220' # 
     VCS_REMOTE_BRANCH_ICON=" \UE804 " # 
     VCS_GIT_ICON="\UE20E  " # 
     VCS_HG_ICON="\UE1C3  " # 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ case $POWERLEVEL9K_MODE in
     VCS_TAG_ICON="\UE817 " # 
     VCS_BOOKMARK_ICON="\UE87B" # 
     VCS_COMMIT_ICON="\UE821 " # 
-    VCS_BRANCH_ICON="\UE220" # 
+    VCS_BRANCH_ICON=$'\UE220' # 
     VCS_REMOTE_BRANCH_ICON=" \UE804 " # 
     VCS_GIT_ICON="\UE20E  " # 
     VCS_HG_ICON="\UE1C3  " # 