diff --git a/test/models/test_layout.py b/test/models/test_layout.py
index c64d1375b..56d9abbc1 100755
--- a/test/models/test_layout.py
+++ b/test/models/test_layout.py
@@ -188,5 +188,12 @@ def test_import_step_metadata_wrong_type(self):
     # Clean up
     os.remove(link_path)
 
+  def test_step_expected_command_shlex(self):
+    """Check that a step's `expected_command` passed as string is converted
+    to a list (using `shlex`). """
+    step = Step(**{"expected_command": "rm -rf /"})
+    self.assertTrue(isinstance(step.expected_command, list))
+    self.assertTrue(len(step.expected_command) == 3)
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
   unittest.main()