diff --git a/package/system/procd/files/procd.sh b/package/system/procd/files/procd.sh
index a6a8fc12fc..cf74333a7e 100755
--- a/package/system/procd/files/procd.sh
+++ b/package/system/procd/files/procd.sh
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ procd_running() {
 
 	json_init
 	json_add_string name "$service"
-	running=$(_procd_ubus_call list | jsonfilter -e "@.$service.instances.${instance}.running")
+	running=$(_procd_ubus_call list | jsonfilter -e "@['$service'].instances['$instance'].running")
 
 	[ "$running" = "true" ]
 }