diff --git a/data/config b/data/config
index 5eccc56..82b0205 100644
--- a/data/config
+++ b/data/config
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ AudioScrollSpeed: 5
 # Command that is run to check if there are out-of-date packages.
 # The script should return *ONLY* a number. If it doesn't output a number, updates are no longer checked.
 # Default value is applicable for Arch Linux. (See src/Config.h for explanation on the default command)
-CheckPackagesCommand: pac="$(checkupdates)"; if [ $? -eq 127 ] ; then exit 127; fi; echo -n $pac | wc -l
+CheckPackagesCommand: pac="$(checkupdates)"; if [ $? -eq 127 ] ; then exit 127; fi; echo -n "$pac" | wc -l
 
 # How often to check for updates. In seconds
 CheckUpdateInterval: 300
diff --git a/src/Config.h b/src/Config.h
index 8a4adfe..5a0154e 100644
--- a/src/Config.h
+++ b/src/Config.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ public:
     // Script that returns how many packages are out-of-date. The script should only print a number!
     // The default script runs checkupdates, and forcefully exits when checkupdates is not found, so gBar can disable the package widget.
     // "checkupdates | wc -l" would always return 0 on stdout, which gBar accepts
-    std::string checkPackagesCommand = "pac=\"$(checkupdates)\"; if [ $? -eq 127 ] ; then exit 127; fi; echo -n $pac | wc -l";
+    std::string checkPackagesCommand = "pac=\"$(checkupdates)\"; if [ $? -eq 127 ] ; then exit 127; fi; echo -n \"$pac\" | wc -l";
 
     bool centerTime = true;
     bool audioRevealer = false;