diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/commands/configuration.py b/src/pip/_internal/commands/configuration.py
index c6c74ed50ba..a9afb7342d4 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/commands/configuration.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/commands/configuration.py
@@ -222,9 +222,13 @@ def open_in_editor(self, options: Values, args: List[str]) -> None:
         fname = self.configuration.get_file_to_edit()
         if fname is None:
             raise PipError("Could not determine appropriate file.")
+        elif '"' in fname:
+            # This shouldn't happen, unless we see a username like that.
+            # If that happens, we'd appreciate a pull request fixing this.
+            raise PipError('Can not open an editor for a file name containing ".')
 
         try:
-            subprocess.check_call([editor, fname])
+            subprocess.check_call(f'{editor} "{fname}"', shell=True)
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
             raise PipError(
                 "Editor Subprocess exited with exit code {}".format(e.returncode)