diff --git a/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh b/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
index 5b80a16bb223..53d9b86c9022 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
+++ b/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ add_user() {
 	yes)
 		_passwdmethod="-w yes"
 		_passwd="-h 0"
-		_upasswd="echo $upass |"
+		_upasswd="echo '$upass' |"
 		;;
 	none)
 		_passwdmethod="-w none"