--- a/hgext/releasenotes.py	Mon Feb 04 09:29:25 2019 -0800
+++ b/hgext/releasenotes.py	Mon Feb 04 08:54:30 2019 -0800
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
     ('api', _('API Changes')),
 ]
 
-RE_DIRECTIVE = re.compile('^\.\. ([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)::\s*([^$]+)?$')
+RE_DIRECTIVE = re.compile(br'^\.\. ([a-zA-Z0-9_]+)::\s*([^$]+)?$')
 RE_ISSUE = br'\bissue ?[0-9]{4,6}(?![0-9])\b'
 
 BULLET_SECTION = _('Other Changes')