diff --git a/electrum.desktop b/electrum.desktop
index 086ed881f..5e57c8dda 100644
--- a/electrum.desktop
+++ b/electrum.desktop
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 [Desktop Entry]
 Comment=Lightweight Bitcoin Client
-Exec=sh -c 'PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH" electrum %u'
+Exec=sh -c "PATH=\"\\$HOME/.local/bin:\\$PATH\" electrum %u"
 GenericName[en_US]=Bitcoin Wallet
 GenericName=Bitcoin Wallet
 Icon=electrum
@@ -17,5 +17,5 @@ MimeType=x-scheme-handler/bitcoin;
 Actions=Testnet;
 
 [Desktop Action Testnet]
-Exec=sh -c 'PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH" electrum --testnet %u'
+Exec=sh -c "PATH=\"\\$HOME/.local/bin:\\$PATH\" electrum --testnet %u"
 Name=Testnet mode