diff --git a/xCAT-server/sbin/xcatconfig b/xCAT-server/sbin/xcatconfig
index 237f42b82..df5c71163 100755
--- a/xCAT-server/sbin/xcatconfig
+++ b/xCAT-server/sbin/xcatconfig
@@ -1183,7 +1183,7 @@ sub initDB
         $chtabcmds .=
           "$::XCATROOT/sbin/chtab key=xcatconfdir site.value=$confdir;";
         $chtabcmds .=
-          "$::XCATROOT/sbin/chtab key=timezone site.value=$timezone;";
+          "$::XCATROOT/sbin/chtab key=timezone site.value=\"$timezone\";";
 
         $chtabcmds .= "$::XCATROOT/sbin/chtab key=useNmapfromMN site.value=no;";
         $chtabcmds .= "$::XCATROOT/sbin/chtab key=enableASMI site.value=no;";