diff --git a/v2/tools/common.jam b/v2/tools/common.jam
index 35c887cfc..7e52ddaa2 100644
--- a/v2/tools/common.jam
+++ b/v2/tools/common.jam
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ rule variable-setting-command ( variable : value )
         # sequence that messes up the executed export command which then reports
         # that the passed variable name is incorrect.
         # But we have a check for cygwin in kernel/bootstrap.jam already.
-        return "$(variable)=$(q)$(value)$(nl)export $(variable)$(q)$(nl)" ;
+        return "$(variable)=$(q)$(value)$(q)$(nl)export $(variable)$(nl)" ;
     }
 }