diff --git a/functions/vcs.zsh b/functions/vcs.zsh
index 9418df81..a0aa2b6c 100644
--- a/functions/vcs.zsh
+++ b/functions/vcs.zsh
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ function +vi-vcs-detect-changes() {
 }
 
 function +vi-svn-detect-changes() {
-  local svn_status=$(svn status)
+  local svn_status="$(svn status)"
   if [[ -n "$(echo "$svn_status" | grep \^\?)" ]]; then
     hook_com[unstaged]+=" $(print_icon 'VCS_UNTRACKED_ICON')"
     VCS_WORKDIR_HALF_DIRTY=true