diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 9240b2fc9..713f2bfb3 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -28,3 +28,6 @@ master_doc = 'index'
 
 html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
 htmlhelp_basename = 'rtpenginedoc'
+
+# Prevent double dashes -- from becoming single em dashes
+smartquotes_action = 'qe'