diff --git a/scripts/fuzz_opt.py b/scripts/fuzz_opt.py
index 72df5a75dbb..be1b208b456 100755
--- a/scripts/fuzz_opt.py
+++ b/scripts/fuzz_opt.py
@@ -1693,9 +1693,9 @@ def optimize(name):
 
         # prepare the list of exports to call. the format is
         #
-        #  exports:A,B,C
+        #  exports:["A","B","C"]
         #
-        exports_to_call = 'exports:' + ','.join(exports)
+        exports_to_call = 'exports:' + json.dumps(exports)
 
         # get the output from the split modules, linking them using JS
         # TODO run liftoff/turboshaft/etc.
diff --git a/scripts/fuzz_shell.js b/scripts/fuzz_shell.js
index d16c49624b9..06a1030a215 100644
--- a/scripts/fuzz_shell.js
+++ b/scripts/fuzz_shell.js
@@ -57,7 +57,12 @@ var fuzzSplit = false;
 for (var i = 0; i < argv.length; i++) {
   var curr = argv[i];
   if (curr.startsWith('exports:')) {
-    exportsToCall = curr.substr('exports:'.length).split(',');
+    var payload = curr.substr('exports:'.length);
+    if (payload.startsWith('[')) {
+      exportsToCall = JSON.parse(payload);
+    } else {
+      exportsToCall = payload ? payload.split(',') : [];
+    }
     argv.splice(i, 1);
     i--;
   } else if (curr == '--fuzz-split') {