diff --git a/doc/docbook.sh b/doc/docbook.sh
index d2b30ec..0e8607a 100755
--- a/doc/docbook.sh
+++ b/doc/docbook.sh
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ XSLTPROC="xsltproc --nonet --xinclude"
 #debug
 _debug()
 {
-	echo $@
-	$@
+	echo "$@" 1>&2
+	"$@"
 }
 
 
diff --git a/doc/scripts/docbook.sh b/doc/scripts/docbook.sh
index d2b30ec..0e8607a 100755
--- a/doc/scripts/docbook.sh
+++ b/doc/scripts/docbook.sh
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ XSLTPROC="xsltproc --nonet --xinclude"
 #debug
 _debug()
 {
-	echo $@
-	$@
+	echo "$@" 1>&2
+	"$@"
 }
 
 
diff --git a/doc/scripts/gettext.sh b/doc/scripts/gettext.sh
index 8232897..9c07414 100755
--- a/doc/scripts/gettext.sh
+++ b/doc/scripts/gettext.sh
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ XGETTEXT="xgettext --force-po"
 #debug
 _debug()
 {
-	echo $@
-	$@
+	echo "$@" 1>&2
+	"$@"
 }
 
 
diff --git a/doc/scripts/gtkdoc.sh b/doc/scripts/gtkdoc.sh
index 5ad2e83..62628cc 100755
--- a/doc/scripts/gtkdoc.sh
+++ b/doc/scripts/gtkdoc.sh
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ TOUCH="touch"
 #debug
 _debug()
 {
-	echo $@ 1>&2
-	$@
+	echo "$@" 1>&2
+	"$@"
 }