diff --git a/src/root-manager.scm b/src/root-manager.scm
index 8b8664b..f613f55 100644
--- a/src/root-manager.scm
+++ b/src/root-manager.scm
@@ -319,7 +319,8 @@
 			  #f (finite-complete (executables-in-path)))))
        (and exec
             (not (string=? exec ""))
-            (& (exec)))))
+            ;; execute via sh -c to allow specifying arguments for the program
+            (& (sh -c ,exec)))))
     ((attach)
      (let* ((cm (root-wm:current-manager root-wm))
 	    (windows-above (window-path (wm:dpy cm) (wm:window cm)))