diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/cdb/cdbengine.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/cdb/cdbengine.cpp
index 19be45ca0a0..96a627c8e23 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/cdb/cdbengine.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/cdb/cdbengine.cpp
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
 #include <projectexplorer/projectexplorerconstants.h>
 
 #include <utils/synchronousprocess.h>
+#include <utils/qtcprocess.h>
 #include <utils/winutils.h>
 #include <utils/qtcassert.h>
 #include <utils/savedaction.h>
@@ -677,7 +678,8 @@ bool CdbEngine::launchCDB(const DebuggerStartParameters &sp, QString *errorMessa
     case StartExternal:
         if (!nativeArguments.isEmpty())
             nativeArguments.push_back(blank);
-        nativeArguments += QDir::toNativeSeparators(sp.executable);
+        Utils::QtcProcess::addArgs(&nativeArguments,
+                                   QStringList(QDir::toNativeSeparators(sp.executable)));
         break;
     case AttachToRemoteServer:
         break;