diff --git a/contrib/verify-commits/verify-commits.sh b/contrib/verify-commits/verify-commits.sh
index 9ba01791a8c..78320a4ce3c 100755
--- a/contrib/verify-commits/verify-commits.sh
+++ b/contrib/verify-commits/verify-commits.sh
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ fi
 
 NO_SHA1=1
 PREV_COMMIT=""
-INITIAL_COMMIT=${CURRENT_COMMIT}
+INITIAL_COMMIT="${CURRENT_COMMIT}"
 
 while true; do
 	if [ "$CURRENT_COMMIT" = $VERIFIED_ROOT ]; then