diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/make b/tools/perf/tests/make
index d75876126631..8dd3f8090352 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/make
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/make
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ run += make_install_prefix_slash
 # run += make_install_pdf
 run += make_minimal
 
-old_libbpf := $(shell echo "#include <bpf/libbpf.h>" | $(CC) -E -dM -x c -| egrep -q "define[[:space:]]+LIBBPF_MAJOR_VERSION[[:space:]]+0{1}")
+old_libbpf := $(shell echo '\#include <bpf/libbpf.h>' | $(CC) -E -dM -x c -| egrep -q "define[[:space:]]+LIBBPF_MAJOR_VERSION[[:space:]]+0{1}")
 
 ifneq ($(old_libbpf),)
 run += make_libbpf_dynamic