diff --git a/gnu/packages/protobuf.scm b/gnu/packages/protobuf.scm
index 22900e89cd..eda1b5ec51 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/protobuf.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/protobuf.scm
@@ -214,8 +214,8 @@ (define-public protobuf-2
                 "040rcs9fpv4bslhiy43v7dcrzakz4vwwpyqg4jp8bn24sl95ci7f"))))
     (arguments (substitute-keyword-arguments (package-arguments protobuf)
                  ((#:phases phases)
-                  `(modify-phases ,phases
-                     (delete 'disable-broken-tests)))))))
+                  #~(modify-phases #$phases
+                      (delete 'disable-broken-tests)))))))
 
 (define-public protobuf-c
   (package