diff --git a/v2/test/core_action_output.py b/v2/test/core_action_output.py
index 42afa7930..aaa7ec605 100755
--- a/v2/test/core_action_output.py
+++ b/v2/test/core_action_output.py
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ import BoostBuild
 t = BoostBuild.Tester("-d1", pass_d0=False, pass_toolset=False)
 
 t.write("file.jam", """\
-prefix = "echo \"" ;
-suffix = "\"" ;
+prefix = "echo \\"" ;
+suffix = "\\"" ;
 if $(NT)
 {
     prefix = "(echo " ;