diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
index 285d05cc..450df265 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/plain_words.go
@@ -968,7 +968,7 @@ func stalledWords(l stalledLine, o conditions.Observation) (headline, explanatio
 // merge that delivers its modules ends it — the operator's"): the part that says what ends it.
 func stoppedNeeds(l stalledLine) string {
 	ends := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(l.H2, "none:"))
-	ends, _, _ = strings.Cut(ends, " — ")
+	ends, _, _ = strings.Cut(ends, " \\u2014 ")
 	if ends == "" {
 		ends = "a later merge that delivers its modules ends it"
 	}