diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f5c6085..670c0ff 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ with: |
 ## Gotchas/limitations
 
 - The `with` inputs to the action need to be converted to a YAML mapping string (see examples above)
-- All outputs from the action will be serialized as a JSON object output named `outputs` . You can access specific outputs by using the `fromJSON` helper in an expression. For example:
+- All outputs from the action will be serialized as a JSON object output named `outputs`. You can access specific outputs by using the `fromJSON` helper in an expression. For example:
     ```yaml
     - id: setup_node
       uses: jenseng/dynamic-uses@v1
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 5682675..c18d98d 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -21,12 +21,15 @@ runs:
       env:
         uses: ${{ inputs.uses }}
         with: ${{ inputs.with }}
+        # inject the outputs value expression via env so that we can avoid
+        # GHA+shell escaping complications 😅
+        outputs: ${{ '${{ toJSON(steps.run.outputs) }}' }}
       run: |
         mkdir -p ./.tmp-dynamic-uses &&
         cat <<DYNAMIC_USES_EOF >./.tmp-dynamic-uses/action.yml
         outputs:
           outputs:
-            value: ${{ '\$' }}{{ toJSON(steps.run.outputs) }}
+            value: $outputs
         runs:
           using: composite
           steps: