diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
index 2e49a09365..edab5566a9 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ set -e
         if bb.msg.loggerVerboseLogs:
             script.write("set -x\n")
         if cwd:
-            script.write("cd %s\n" % cwd)
+            script.write("cd '%s'\n" % cwd)
         script.write("%s\n" % func)
         script.write('''
 # cleanup