diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index 73263fd..639b60b 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -3818,10 +3818,9 @@ handle_command_set_assign
 	if (!arguments)
 		return false;
 
-	char *value = cut_word (&arguments);
 	struct error *e = NULL;
 	struct config_item_ *new_ =
-		config_item_parse (value, strlen (value), true, &e);
+		config_item_parse (arguments, strlen (arguments), true, &e);
 	if (e)
 	{
 		buffer_send_error (ctx, ctx->global_buffer,