diff --git a/src/fsh.nim b/src/fsh.nim
index 709b562..42b87c5 100644
--- a/src/fsh.nim
+++ b/src/fsh.nim
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ proc readVariable(strm: Stream): string =
       result.add(strm.readSubstitution())
     of ']', '}':
       stderr.write("Unexpected " & c & ".\n")
+    of '$': result = "$"
     else:
       result.add(c)
       while not strm.atEnd():
@@ -189,6 +190,7 @@ proc readVariable(strm: Stream): string =
 
 # evalVariable finds a value of a variable
 proc evalVariable(vari: string): string =
+  if vari == "$": return "$"
   if shellVariables.hasKey(vari):
     result=shellVariables[vari]
   elif envVariables.hasKey(vari):