diff --git a/libs/plugins/function.math.php b/libs/plugins/function.math.php
index 71672fea..bb78dac2 100644
--- a/libs/plugins/function.math.php
+++ b/libs/plugins/function.math.php
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ function smarty_function_math($params, &$smarty)
         return;
     }
 
-    $equation = $params['equation'];
+    // strip out backticks, not necessary for math
+    $equation = str_replace('`','',$params['equation']);
 
     // make sure parenthesis are balanced
     if (substr_count($equation,"(") != substr_count($equation,")")) {