diff --git a/lib/jekyll/url.rb b/lib/jekyll/url.rb
index f2318ae0..813b9c87 100644
--- a/lib/jekyll/url.rb
+++ b/lib/jekyll/url.rb
@@ -51,11 +51,8 @@ module Jekyll
     # Returns a sanitized String URL
     def sanitize_url(in_url)
 
-      # prevent escaped periods from bypassing sanitization
-      url = URI.unescape(in_url)
-
       # Remove all double slashes
-      url = url.gsub(/\/\//, "/")
+      url = in_url.gsub(/\/\//, "/")
 
       # Remove every URL segment that consists solely of dots
       url = url.split('/').reject{ |part| part =~ /^\.+$/ }.join('/')
@@ -66,7 +63,7 @@ module Jekyll
       # Always add a leading slash
       url.gsub!(/\A([^\/])/, '/\1')
 
-      URI.escape url
+      url
     end
   end
 end