diff --git a/root/etc/e-smith/events/actions/qmail-update-list b/root/etc/e-smith/events/actions/qmail-update-list
index 0fb2118..eec9878 100644
--- a/root/etc/e-smith/events/actions/qmail-update-list
+++ b/root/etc/e-smith/events/actions/qmail-update-list
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ if ($ARGV[1]){
 
 foreach my $list (@lists){
     my $name = $list->key;
+    # dots must be escaped by replacing them with a :
+    # see http://www.lifewithqmail.com/lwq.html#dots-in-extensions
+    $name =~ s/\./:/g;
     unless ($list->prop('type') eq 'minilist'){
         warn "Account $name is not a mailinglist account.\n";
         next;