diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/matrix/matrix-authentication-service.nix b/nixos/modules/services/matrix/matrix-authentication-service.nix
index ecf38e9bd3c3..978f2d571fde 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/matrix/matrix-authentication-service.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/matrix/matrix-authentication-service.nix
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ in
         For example :
         services.matrix-authentication-service.credentials."synapse-secret" = "/run/agenix/synapse-shared";
         services.matrix-authentication-service.settings.matrix.secret_file =
-          "''${CREDENTIALS_DIRECTORY}/synapse-secret";
+          "\''${CREDENTIALS_DIRECTORY}/synapse-secret";
       '';
     };
   };