diff --git a/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/README.md b/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/README.md
index cb7c61523..3192a3776 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/README.md
+++ b/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/README.md
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ See the [CONFIGURATION.md][CONFIGURATION.md] for more details.
   # directory_duration_threshold = "50ms"
   #
   ## A list of the only file names to monitor, if necessary. Supports regex. If left blank, all files are ingested.
-  # files_to_monitor = ["^.*\.csv"]
+  # files_to_monitor = ["^.*\\.csv"]
   #
   ## A list of files to ignore, if necessary. Supports regex.
   # files_to_ignore = [".DS_Store"]
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/sample.conf b/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/sample.conf
index 128b1c367..489a6839a 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/sample.conf
+++ b/plugins/inputs/directory_monitor/sample.conf
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
   # directory_duration_threshold = "50ms"
   #
   ## A list of the only file names to monitor, if necessary. Supports regex. If left blank, all files are ingested.
-  # files_to_monitor = ["^.*\.csv"]
+  # files_to_monitor = ["^.*\\.csv"]
   #
   ## A list of files to ignore, if necessary. Supports regex.
   # files_to_ignore = [".DS_Store"]