diff --git a/src/html_epub_preprocessor.py b/src/html_epub_preprocessor.py
index 8ac82da..d061df7 100644
--- a/src/html_epub_preprocessor.py
+++ b/src/html_epub_preprocessor.py
@@ -432,10 +432,10 @@ def preprocess_block_tags(chapter_tag):
 
 
 def _prepare_formatted(text):
-    text = text.replace("<", "\x3C;")
-    text = text.replace(">", "\x3E;")
-    text = text.replace('\t', "\xa0 \xa0 \xa0 ")
-    text = text.replace(' ', "\xa0 ")
+    text = text.replace("<", "\x3C")
+    text = text.replace(">", "\x3E")
+    text = text.replace('\t', "\xa0 \xa0 ")  # &nbsp; &nbsp;
+    text = text.replace(' ', "\xa0")
     return text