diff --git a/borgmatic/hooks/data_source/mariadb.py b/borgmatic/hooks/data_source/mariadb.py
index cb05f5b9..eaf05f2d 100644
--- a/borgmatic/hooks/data_source/mariadb.py
+++ b/borgmatic/hooks/data_source/mariadb.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def make_defaults_file_options(username=None, password=None, defaults_extra_file
     values = '\n'.join(
         (
             (f'user={username}' if username is not None else ''),
-            (f'password={password}' if password is not None else ''),
+            (f'password=\'{password}\'' if password is not None else ''),
         )
     ).strip()