diff --git a/src/releasing/releaser.sh b/src/releasing/releaser.sh
index 837ac73988..6475d206b2 100755
--- a/src/releasing/releaser.sh
+++ b/src/releasing/releaser.sh
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ if gpg-agent; then
             for r in $REPOS_MVN; do
                 echo_info "---------------- Releasing $r ----------------"
                 cd $r
-                mvn -e -q -DautoVersionSubmodules=true -Dgpg.useagent=true -Darguments=-Dgpg.useagent=true -B -DreleaseVersion=$VERSION clean release:prepare
+                mvn -e -q -DautoVersionSubmodules=true -Dgpg.useagent=true -Darguments=-Dgpg.useagent=true -B -DreleaseVersion="$VERSION" clean release:prepare
                 if [[ $? -gt 0 ]]; then
                     echo_error "RELEASE FAILURE"
                     exit 1