diff --git a/strings.py b/strings.py
index 216f4274..14a899d2 100644
--- a/strings.py
+++ b/strings.py
@@ -7,10 +7,13 @@ class SafeDict(dict):
         return key
 
 
-def safely_format_string(string: str, words: typing.Dict[str, str]) -> str:
-    escaped = {}
-    for key in words:
-        escaped[key] = words[key].replace("<", "&lt;").replace(">", "&gt;")
+def safely_format_string(string: str, words: typing.Dict[str, str], ignore_escaping=False) -> str:
+    if ignore_escaping:
+        escaped = words
+    else:
+        escaped = {}
+        for key in words:
+            escaped[key] = words[key].replace("<", "&lt;").replace(">", "&gt;")
     return string.format_map(SafeDict(**escaped))
 
 
diff --git a/telegrambot.py b/telegrambot.py
index 8d21e848..11a60399 100644
--- a/telegrambot.py
+++ b/telegrambot.py
@@ -53,8 +53,7 @@ sentry = raven.Client(config["Sentry"]["token"],
 
 
 def reply_msg(bot: telegram.Bot, chat_id: int, string: str, ignore_escaping=False, **kwargs) -> telegram.Message:
-    if not ignore_escaping:
-        string = strings.safely_format_string(string, words=kwargs)
+    string = strings.safely_format_string(string, ignore_escaping=ignore_escaping, words=kwargs)
     return bot.send_message(chat_id, string,
                             parse_mode="HTML",
                             disable_web_page_preview=True)