diff --git a/scripts/iiab-diagnostics b/scripts/iiab-diagnostics
index 7f81af58d..cf64b3f6f 100755
--- a/scripts/iiab-diagnostics
+++ b/scripts/iiab-diagnostics
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ function cat_cmd() {                        # $1 = command + params, $2 = explan
     if [ -z "$pth" ]; then
         echo "COMMAND NOT FOUND: $1" >> $outfile
     else
-        $(echo $1) >> $outfile
+        $(echo "eval $1") >> $outfile    # eval is nec within backticks, so | (pipes) work: https://stackoverflow.com/a/7184782
     fi
     echo >> $outfile
 }