diff --git a/.github/workflows/run-simulators.yml b/.github/workflows/run-simulators.yml
index 75f5e7b91..77d5464a6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run-simulators.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run-simulators.yml
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ jobs:
             GH_REF: ${{ github.ref }}
           run: |
             echo "$PRIVATE_KEY" > private_key && chmod 600 private_key
-            export GH_REF="${GH_REF}"
+            export GH_REF="$GH_REF"
             ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o SendEnv=GH_REF -i private_key ${USER_NAME}@${HOSTNAME} '
               cd /home/ubuntu/actions/ &&
               rm -rf Scenic &&