diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/highlightTags.js b/app/assets/javascripts/highlightTags.js
index f0f46fcd9..a1ecf2f37 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/highlightTags.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/highlightTags.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
     };
 
     this.update = () => this.$backgroundMaskForeground.html(
-      this.$textbox.val().replace(
+      $('<div/>').text(this.$textbox.val()).html().replace(
         tagPattern, match => `<span class='tag'>${match}</span>`
       )
     );