diff --git a/404.php b/404.php
index 41924004..a77b457b 100644
--- a/404.php
+++ b/404.php
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ get_header(); ?>
 
 					<?php
 						/* translators: %1$s: smiley */
-						$archive_content = '<p>' . sprintf( __( 'Try looking in the monthly archives. %1$s', '_s' ), convert_smilies( ':)' ) ) . '</p>';
+						$archive_content = '<p>' . sprintf( esc_html__( 'Try looking in the monthly archives. %1$s', '_s' ), convert_smilies( ':)' ) ) . '</p>';
 						the_widget( 'WP_Widget_Archives', 'dropdown=1', "after_title=</h2>$archive_content" );
 					?>