diff --git a/lisp/ob-sh.el b/lisp/ob-sh.el
index 7eda1b5ef..ec1306b3b 100644
--- a/lisp/ob-sh.el
+++ b/lisp/ob-sh.el
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ var of the same value."
   "Convert an elisp value to a string."
   (let ((echo-var (lambda (v) (if (stringp v) v (format "%S" v)))))
     (cond
-     ((and (listp var) (or (listp (car var)) 'hline))
+     ((and (listp var) (or (listp (car var)) (equal (car var) 'hline)))
       (orgtbl-to-generic var  (list :sep (or sep "\t") :fmt echo-var)))
      ((listp var)
       (mapconcat echo-var var "\n"))