diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index 7900f8d..9a73478 100644
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -3971,7 +3971,7 @@ nvm() {
         # so, unalias it.
         nvm unalias "${ALIAS}"
         return $?
-      elif echo $ALIAS | grep -q "#"; then
+      elif echo "$ALIAS" | grep -q "#"; then
         nvm_err "Aliases may not have a # inside it"
         exit 1
       elif [ "${TARGET}" != '--' ]; then