diff --git a/pandas/core/generic.py b/pandas/core/generic.py
index ac01ffcdba6ce..3a48cc8a66076 100644
--- a/pandas/core/generic.py
+++ b/pandas/core/generic.py
@@ -3885,7 +3885,7 @@ def to_csv(
 
         Format floats using scientific notation:
 
-        >>> df.to_csv("out2.csv", float_format="{:.2e}".format)  # doctest: +SKIP
+        >>> df.to_csv("out2.csv", float_format="{{:.2e}}".format)  # doctest: +SKIP
         """
         df = self if isinstance(self, ABCDataFrame) else self.to_frame()