diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index e3e0f8f..3ec0f66 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -2836,7 +2836,7 @@ get_relation_data_file() {
     new=
     if [ -e "$relation_data_file" ]; then
         ## Has reference changed ?
-        new_md5=$(echo "$relation_config" | md5_compat)
+        new_md5=$(e "$relation_config" | md5_compat)
         if [ "$new_md5" != "$(cat "$relation_data_file.md5_ref" 2>/dev/null)" ]; then
             new=true
         fi
@@ -2845,9 +2845,9 @@ get_relation_data_file() {
     fi
 
     if [ "$new" ]; then
-        echo "$relation_config" > "$relation_data_file"
+        e "$relation_config" > "$relation_data_file"
         chmod go-rwx "$relation_data_file"  ## protecting this file
-        echo "$relation_config" | md5_compat > "$relation_data_file.md5_ref"
+        e "$relation_config" | md5_compat > "$relation_data_file.md5_ref"
     fi
     echo "$relation_data_file"
 }