diff --git a/src/editor/serialize.js b/src/editor/serialize.js
index 075c462b37..03f3759ea0 100644
--- a/src/editor/serialize.js
+++ b/src/editor/serialize.js
@@ -44,7 +44,11 @@ export function htmlSerializeIfNeeded(model, {forceHTML = false} = {}) {
     // Format "plain" text to ensure removal of backslash escapes
     // https://github.com/vector-im/riot-web/issues/11230
     // https://github.com/vector-im/riot-web/issues/2870
-    return parser.toPlaintext();
+    const postParsePlaintext = parser.toPlaintext();
+    if (postParsePlaintext !== md) {
+        // only return "formatted" text if it differs from the source text
+        return postParsePlaintext;
+    }
 }
 
 export function textSerialize(model) {