diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 754cbf0cc..791405b11 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "mermaid",
-  "version": "8.0.0-alpha.7",
+  "version": "8.0.0-alpha.8",
   "description": "Markdownish syntax for generating flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, gantt charts and git graphs.",
   "main": "dist/mermaid.core.js",
   "keywords": [
diff --git a/src/mermaid.js b/src/mermaid.js
index 97ada6983..a8f05ffea 100644
--- a/src/mermaid.js
+++ b/src/mermaid.js
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ const init = function () {
     txt = element.innerHTML
 
     // transforms the html to pure text
-    txt = he.decode(txt).trim()
+    txt = he.decode(txt).trim().replace(/<br>/ig, '<br/>')
 
     mermaidAPI.render(id, txt, (svgCode, bindFunctions) => {
       element.innerHTML = svgCode