diff --git a/bin/lean-gdb.py b/bin/lean-gdb.py
index 2bca84c545..b530c110d9 100644
--- a/bin/lean-gdb.py
+++ b/bin/lean-gdb.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ class LeanNamePrinter:
 
     def to_string(self):
         def rec(imp):
-            s = repr(imp['m_str'].string()) if imp['m_is_string'] else str(imp['m_k'])
+            s = ("'%s'" % imp['m_str'].string()) if imp['m_is_string'] else str(imp['m_k'])
             if imp['m_prefix']:
                 return "%s.%s" % (rec(imp['m_prefix'].dereference()), s)
             else: