diff --git a/Shorewall/firewall b/Shorewall/firewall
index c8e4e2d29..efd463c61 100755
--- a/Shorewall/firewall
+++ b/Shorewall/firewall
@@ -143,11 +143,29 @@ expandv() # $* = list of variable names
     done
 }
 
+#
+# Replace all "!' with "! " in the passed argument list
+#
+
+fix_bang() {
+    local i;
+    for i in $@; do
+	case $i in
+	    !*)
+		echo "! ${i#!}"
+		;;
+	    *)
+		echo $i
+		;;
+	esac
+    done
+}
+
 #
 # Run iptables and if an error occurs, stop the firewall and quit
 #
 run_iptables() {
-    if ! iptables `echo $@ | sed 's/!/! /g'`; then
+    if ! iptables `fix_bang $@`; then
 	[ -z "$stopping" ] && { stop_firewall; exit 2; }
     fi
 }