diff --git a/src/mad/ruby/scripts_common.rb b/src/mad/ruby/scripts_common.rb
index 4562b8e9c6..eb52c772bd 100644
--- a/src/mad/ruby/scripts_common.rb
+++ b/src/mad/ruby/scripts_common.rb
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 # limitations under the License.                                             #
 #--------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
 
+require 'shellwords'
+
 module OpenNebula
 
     # Generic log function
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ module OpenNebula
     # If a second parameter is present it is used as the error message when
     # the command fails
     def self.exec_and_log(command, message=nil, allowed_return_code=0)
+        command = command.shellsplit.shelljoin # escape
         output=`#{command} 2>&1 1>/dev/null`
         code=$?.exitstatus