diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/aux/wpa.c b/sys/src/cmd/aux/wpa.c
index e795c050b..42dfc31d4 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/aux/wpa.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/aux/wpa.c
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		sysfatal("dial: %r");
 
 	if(essid[0] != 0){
-		if(fprint(cfd, "essid %s", essid) < 0)
+		if(fprint(cfd, "essid %q", essid) < 0)
 			sysfatal("write essid: %r");
 	} else {
 		getessid();