diff --git a/polkadot/.gitlab-ci.yml b/polkadot/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 0860aab7ad..4859391ec1 100644
--- a/polkadot/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/polkadot/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ build-malus:
         --polkadot
         "$DEPENDENT_REPO"
         "$GITHUB_PR_TOKEN"
-        $CARGO_UPDATE_CRATES
+        "$CARGO_UPDATE_CRATES"
 
 check-dependent-cumulus:
   <<: *check-dependent-project