diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c b/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
index 86172c6965..2ee20420d9 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
@@ -1893,7 +1893,7 @@ int qemudBuildCommandLine(virConnectPtr conn,
         }
 
         ADD_ARG_LIT("-monitor");
-        ADD_ARG_LIT(virBufferContentAndReset(&buf));
+        ADD_ARG(virBufferContentAndReset(&buf));
     }
 
     if (def->localtime)