diff --git a/hack/lib/util.sh b/hack/lib/util.sh
index 3ce3ba56aca..67454132c99 100755
--- a/hack/lib/util.sh
+++ b/hack/lib/util.sh
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ kube::util::find-binary-for-platform() {
   fi
 
   # looks for $1 in the $PATH
-  if which ${lookfor} >/dev/null; then
-    local -r local_bin="$(which ${lookfor})"
+  if which "${lookfor}" >/dev/null; then
+    local -r local_bin="$(which "${lookfor}")"
     locations+=( "${local_bin}"  );
   fi