diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_banners/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_banners/init.lua
index 814102f3..d6af4f50 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_banners/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_banners/init.lua
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ local make_banner_overlay = function(base_color, layers)
 			lovl = (lovl ~= "" and (lovl .. "^") or "") .. layer
 		end
 
-		function escape(text)
+		local function escape(text)
 			 return text:gsub("%^", "\\%^"):gsub(":", "\\:") -- :gsub("%(", "\\%("):gsub("%)", "\\%)")
 		end