diff --git a/scripts/init_db.sh b/scripts/init_db.sh
index cc1df04..5a0c806 100755
--- a/scripts/init_db.sh
+++ b/scripts/init_db.sh
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ set -x
 set -eo pipefail
 
 # Check if a custom user has been set, otherwise default to 'postgres'
-DB_USER=${POSTGRES_USER:=postgres}
+DB_USER="${POSTGRES_USER:=postgres}"
 # Check if a custom password has been set, otherwise default to 'password'
 DB_PASSWORD="${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:=password}"
 # Check if a custom password has been set, otherwise default to 'newsletter'