Can't upvote so I'll repost @jfs comment cause I think it should be more visible.
@AnneTheAgile: shell=True is not required. Moreover you should not use it unless it is necessary (see @ valid's comment). You should pass each command-line argument as a separate list item instead e.g., use ['command', 'arg 1', 'arg 2'] instead of "command 'arg 1' 'arg 2'". – jfs Mar 3 '15 at 10:02