diff --git a/securesystemslib/formats.py b/securesystemslib/formats.py
index 1dea7759..b19f6eb7 100755
--- a/securesystemslib/formats.py
+++ b/securesystemslib/formats.py
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@
 
 import binascii
 import calendar
-import re
 import datetime
 import time
 
@@ -613,7 +612,7 @@ def _canonical_string_encoder(string):
     A string with the canonical-encoded 'string' embedded.
   """
 
-  string = '"%s"' % re.sub(r'(["\\])', r'\\\1', string)
+  string = '"%s"' % string.replace('\\', '\\\\').replace('"', '\\"')
 
   return string
 
diff --git a/tests/test_formats.py b/tests/test_formats.py
index bae97828..6d76279b 100755
--- a/tests/test_formats.py
+++ b/tests/test_formats.py
@@ -283,6 +283,11 @@ def test_encode_canonical(self):
 
     self.assertEqual('{"x":3,"y":null}', encode({"x": 3, "y": None}))
 
+    # Test condition with escaping " and \
+    self.assertEqual('"\\""', encode("\""))
+    self.assertEqual('"\\\\"', encode("\\"))
+    self.assertEqual('"\\\\\\""', encode("\\\""))
+
     # Condition where 'encode()' sends the result to the callable
     # 'output'.
     self.assertEqual(None, encode([1, 2, 3], output))