diff --git a/lib/chibi/show/write.scm b/lib/chibi/show/write.scm
index 554b3c5b..8e21bd02 100644
--- a/lib/chibi/show/write.scm
+++ b/lib/chibi/show/write.scm
@@ -41,8 +41,9 @@
   (let-optionals* o ((quot #\")
                      (esc #\\)
                      (rename (lambda (x) #f)))
-    (let ((quot-str (if (char? quot) (string quot) quot))
-          (esc-str (if (char? esc) (string esc) esc)))
+    (let ((esc-str (cond ((char? esc) (string esc))
+                         ((not esc) (string quot))
+                         (else esc))))
       (fn (output)
         (define (output* str)
           (let ((start (string-cursor-start str))