diff --git a/egs/swbd/ASR/local/train_bpe_model.py b/egs/swbd/ASR/local/train_bpe_model.py
index 350b61b42..9b4e28635 100755
--- a/egs/swbd/ASR/local/train_bpe_model.py
+++ b/egs/swbd/ASR/local/train_bpe_model.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def main():
     # If you change it, you should also change other
     # places that are using it.
 
-    user_defined_symbols += ["▁[LAUGHTER]", "▁[NOISE]", "▁[VOCALIZED-NOISE]"]
+    user_defined_symbols += ["[LAUGHTER]", "[NOISE]", "[VOCALIZED-NOISE]"]
 
     model_file = Path(model_prefix + ".model")
     if not model_file.is_file():