diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_email.py b/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_email.py
index 4fb45df0ec..7e0137dd84 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_email.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/tests/test_email.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class ActivationEmailTests(EmailTemplateTagMixin, CacheIsolationTestCase):
     # sent from an OpenEdX installation.
     OPENEDX_FRAGMENTS = [
         (
-            u"You're almost there! Use the link below to activate your account to access engaging, "
+            u"Use the link below to activate your account to access engaging, "
             u"high-quality {platform_name} courses. Note that you will not be able to log back into your "
             u"account until you have activated it.".format(
                 platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME
diff --git a/common/templates/student/edx_ace/accountactivation/email/body.html b/common/templates/student/edx_ace/accountactivation/email/body.html
index d4497672da..d6970cbba9 100644
--- a/common/templates/student/edx_ace/accountactivation/email/body.html
+++ b/common/templates/student/edx_ace/accountactivation/email/body.html
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 {% extends 'ace_common/edx_ace/common/base_body.html' %}
 
+{% load django_markup %}
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 {% block content %}
@@ -8,7 +9,9 @@
     <tr>
         <td>
             <p style="color: rgba(0,0,0,.75);">
-                {% blocktrans %}This is a routed Account Activation email for {{ routed_user }} ({{ routed_user_email }}): {{ routed_profile_name }}{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% filter force_escape %}
+                    {% blocktrans %}This is a routed Account Activation email for {{ routed_user }} ({{ routed_user_email }}): {{ routed_profile_name }}{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% endfilter %}
                 <br />
             </p>
         </td>
@@ -17,28 +20,35 @@
     <tr>
         <td>
             <h1>
-                {% trans "Account Activation" %}
+                {% trans "Account Activation" as header_msg %}{{ header_msg | force_escape }}
             </h1>
             <p style="color: rgba(0,0,0,.75);">
-                {% blocktrans %}You're almost there! Use the link below to activate your account to access engaging, high-quality {{ platform_name }} courses. Note that you will not be able to log back into your account until you have activated it.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% filter force_escape %}
+                    {% blocktrans %}You're almost there! Use the link below to activate your account to access engaging, high-quality {{ platform_name }} courses. Note that you will not be able to log back into your account until you have activated it.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% endfilter %}
                 <br />
             </p>
 
-            {% trans "Activate Your Account" as course_cta_text %}
+            {% trans "Activate Your Account" as course_cta_text %}{{ course_cta_text | force_escape }}
             {% include "ace_common/edx_ace/common/return_to_course_cta.html" with course_cta_text=course_cta_text course_cta_url=confirm_activation_link %}
         </td>
     </tr>
     <tr>
         <td>
             <p style="color: rgba(0,0,0,.75);">
-                {% blocktrans %}Enjoy learning with {{ platform_name }}.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% filter force_escape %}
+                    {% blocktrans %}Enjoy learning with {{ platform_name }}.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% endfilter %}
                 <br />
             </p>
         </td>
     </tr>
         <td>
             <p style="color: rgba(0,0,0,.75);">
-                {% blocktrans %}If you need help, please use our web form at <a href="{{ support_url }}">{{ support_url }}</a> or email <a href="mailto:{{ support_email }}">{{ support_email }}</a>.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% blocktrans trimmed asvar assist_msg %}
+                If you need help, please use our web form at {start_anchor_web}{{ support_url }}{end_anchor} or email {start_anchor_email}{{ support_email }}{end_anchor}.
+                {% endblocktrans %}
+                {% interpolate_html assist_msg start_anchor_web='<a href="'|add:support_url|add:'">'|safe start_anchor_email='<a href="mailto:'|add:support_email|add:'">'|safe end_anchor='</a>'|safe %}
                 <br />
             </p>
         </td>
@@ -48,7 +58,9 @@
     <tr>
         <td>
             <p style="color: rgba(0,0,0,.75);">
-                {% blocktrans %}This email message was automatically sent by {{ lms_url }} because someone attempted to create an account on {{ platform_name }} using this email address.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% filter force_escape %}
+                    {% blocktrans %}This email message was automatically sent by {{ lms_url }} because someone attempted to create an account on {{ platform_name }} using this email address.{% endblocktrans %}
+                {% endfilter %}
                 <br />
             </p>
         </td>