diff --git a/lib/linter.js b/lib/linter.js
index 8f1520aafb47..7d88436767ec 100755
--- a/lib/linter.js
+++ b/lib/linter.js
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ function parseJsonConfig(string, location) {
 
     // Parses a JSON-like comment by the same way as parsing CLI option.
     try {
-        items = levn.parse("Object", string) || {};
+        items = levn.parse("Object", string.replace(/\\/g, "\\\\")) || {};
 
         // Some tests say that it should ignore invalid comments such as `/*eslint no-alert:abc*/`.
         // Also, commaless notations have invalid severity: