diff --git a/mlir/utils/generate-test-checks.py b/mlir/utils/generate-test-checks.py
--- a/mlir/utils/generate-test-checks.py
+++ b/mlir/utils/generate-test-checks.py
@@ -75,11 +75,11 @@
 
     # If one exists, then output the existing name.
     if variable is not None:
-      output_line += '[[' + variable + ']]'
+      output_line += '%[[' + variable + ']]'
     else:
       # Otherwise, generate a new variable.
       variable = variable_namer.generate_name(ssa_name)
-      output_line += '[[' + variable + ':%.*]]'
+      output_line += '%[[' + variable + ':.*]]'
 
     # Append the non named group.
     output_line += chunk[len(ssa_name):]