diff --git a/cluster/gce/util.sh b/cluster/gce/util.sh
index 418aedca129..192627824ce 100755
--- a/cluster/gce/util.sh
+++ b/cluster/gce/util.sh
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function verify-prereqs {
       fi
     fi
   done
-  if [[ "${KUBE_SKIP_UPDATE} == "y" ]]; then
+  if [[ "${KUBE_SKIP_UPDATE}" == "y" ]]; then
     return
   fi
   # update and install components as needed
diff --git a/cluster/gke/util.sh b/cluster/gke/util.sh
index 2bb7fb01273..9895701f618 100755
--- a/cluster/gke/util.sh
+++ b/cluster/gke/util.sh
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function verify-prereqs() {
       exit 1
     fi
   fi
-  if [[ "${KUBE_SKIP_UPDATE} == "y" ]]; then
+  if [[ "${KUBE_SKIP_UPDATE}" == "y" ]]; then
     return
   fi
   # update and install components as needed