diff --git a/src/python-runtime.ts b/src/python-runtime.ts
index 73511cc..ac4da6d 100644
--- a/src/python-runtime.ts
+++ b/src/python-runtime.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ function splitCommand(command: string): string[] {
 }
 
 function quoteWindowsCmdArg(value: string): string {
+  if (!/[ \t"&()<>^|]/.test(value)) {
+    return value;
+  }
   return `"${value.replace(/"/g, '""')}"`;
 }