diff --git a/src/packages.scm b/src/packages.scm
index 0f7df4b..5c6ec13 100644
--- a/src/packages.scm
+++ b/src/packages.scm
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@
 ;; *** main package **************************************************
 
 (define-structure scsh-things
-  (export ((run &) :syntax))
+  (export ((run &) :syntax) port->sexp-list)
   (open scsh))
 
 (define-structure config
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
 	  get-manager-by-window
 	  create-new-manager
 	  root-wm-manage-window)
-  (open scheme list-lib scsh-things signals
+  (open scheme list-lib scsh-things signals extended-ports
 	define-record-types threads
 	xlib
 	rendezvous rendezvous-channels
diff --git a/src/root-manager.scm b/src/root-manager.scm
index f613f55..0f7e928 100644
--- a/src/root-manager.scm
+++ b/src/root-manager.scm
@@ -319,8 +319,9 @@
 			  #f (finite-complete (executables-in-path)))))
        (and exec
             (not (string=? exec ""))
-            ;; execute via sh -c to allow specifying arguments for the program
-            (& (sh -c ,exec)))))
+            (let* ((p (make-string-input-port exec))
+                   (parts (port->sexp-list p)))
+              (& ,parts)))))
     ((attach)
      (let* ((cm (root-wm:current-manager root-wm))
 	    (windows-above (window-path (wm:dpy cm) (wm:window cm)))