diff --git a/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/shellutil.py b/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/shellutil.py
index 185a970ee5..580d778739 100644
--- a/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/shellutil.py
+++ b/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/shellutil.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ UNQUOTED_TOKENS_RE = _tokens2re(
   whitespace=r'[\t\r\n ]+',
   quote=r'[\'"]',
   comment='#',
-  special=r'[<>&|`~(){}$;\*\?]',
+  special=r'[<>&|`(){}$;\*\?]',
   backslashed=r'\\[^\\]',
 )