diff --git a/app/linux/zotero.desktop b/app/linux/zotero.desktop
index 94f44859dd..b7fbcb6699 100755
--- a/app/linux/zotero.desktop
+++ b/app/linux/zotero.desktop
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [Desktop Entry]
 Name=Zotero
-Exec=bash -c "$(dirname $(realpath $(echo %k | sed -e 's/^file:\\/\\///')))/zotero -url %U"
+Exec=bash -c "\\$(dirname \\$(realpath \\$(echo %k | sed -e 's/^file:\\/\\///')))/zotero -url %U"
 Icon=zotero.ico
 Type=Application
 Terminal=false