diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders.nix b/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders.nix
index 68f0f1bc4ddc..fc3a6b35dbcc 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders.nix
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ rec {
         allowSubstitutes = false;
       }
       ''
-        target=$out${destination}
+        target=$out${lib.escapeShellArg destination}
         mkdir -p "$(dirname "$target")"
 
         if [ -e "$textPath" ]; then