diff --git a/bioconda_utils/lint_functions.py b/bioconda_utils/lint_functions.py
index 7889123170..0837a444a9 100644
--- a/bioconda_utils/lint_functions.py
+++ b/bioconda_utils/lint_functions.py
@@ -149,6 +149,14 @@ def missing_tests(recipe, meta):
             }
 
 
+@lint_multiple_metas
+def malformed_tests(recipe, meta):
+    if any("'" in cmd for cmd in meta.get_value('test/commands', [])):
+        return {
+            'single_quote_in_tests': True,
+            'fix': 'use double quotes or move to separate test file'
+        }
+
 @lint_multiple_metas
 def missing_hash(recipe, meta):
     # could be a meta-package if no source section or if None
@@ -374,6 +382,7 @@ def compilers_must_be_in_build(recipe, meta):
 
     # disabling for now until we get better per-OS version detection
     # already_in_bioconda,
+    malformed_tests,
     missing_tests,
     missing_home,
     missing_license,
diff --git a/test/test_linting.py b/test/test_linting.py
index 37d5ab0900..ec4157cb24 100644
--- a/test/test_linting.py
+++ b/test/test_linting.py
@@ -287,6 +287,28 @@ def test_missing_tests():
     )
 
 
+def test_single_quote_in_tests():
+    run_lint(
+        func=lint_functions.malformed_tests,
+        should_pass=['''
+        good_tests:
+          meta.yaml: |
+            package:
+              name: missing_tests
+              version: "0.1"
+            test:
+              commands: "ls"
+        '''],
+        should_fail='''
+        bad_tests:
+          meta.yaml: |
+            package:
+              name: missing_tests
+              version: "0.1"
+            test: "ls | grep '[]'"
+        ''')
+
+
 def test_missing_hash():
     run_lint(
         func=lint_functions.missing_hash,