diff --git a/net/coova-chilli/files/chilli.init b/net/coova-chilli/files/chilli.init
index e30843876..bf34cfc82 100644
--- a/net/coova-chilli/files/chilli.init
+++ b/net/coova-chilli/files/chilli.init
@@ -9,18 +9,15 @@ service_triggers() {
 }
 
 config_cb() {
-	local chilli_inst="$2"
-	if [ "$chilli_inst" != "" ]; then
-		chilli_conf="/var/run/chilli_${chilli_inst}.conf"
-		if [ -e "$chilli_conf" ]; then
-			rm -f "$chilli_conf"
-		fi
-		eval "start_chilli_$chilli_inst=1"
-	fi
+	chilli_conf="/var/run/chilli_${2}.conf"
+	[ -e "$chilli_conf" ] && rm -f "$chilli_conf"
 }
 
 option_cb() {
 	case "$1" in
+		# ignored/internal settings
+		disabled)
+			;;
 		# UCI settings
 		network)
 			. /lib/functions/network.sh
@@ -28,9 +25,6 @@ option_cb() {
 			network_get_device ifname "$2"
 			echo "dhcpif=\"$ifname\"" >> "$chilli_conf"
 			;;
-		disabled)
-			[ "$(config_get_bool "$1")" = "1" ] && eval "start_chilli_$chilli_inst=0"
-			;;
 		# boolean settings
 		debug|dhcpbroadcast|nodynip|vlanlocation|locationstopstart|locationcopycalled|\
 		locationimmediateupdate|locationopt82|coanoipcheck|noradallow|proxymacaccept|\
@@ -51,13 +45,14 @@ option_cb() {
 
 start_chilli() {
 	local cfg="$1"
-	local start_chilli=$(eval "echo \$start_chilli_$cfg")
-	[ "$start_chilli" = "0" ] && return
 	local base="/var/run/chilli_${cfg}"
 
+	config_get_bool disabled "$1" 'disabled' 1
+	[ $disabled = 1 ] && return
+
 	procd_open_instance "$cfg"
 	procd_set_param command /usr/sbin/chilli
-	procd_set_param file "${base}.conf"
+	procd_set_param file "$chilli_conf"
 	procd_append_param command \
 		--fg \
 		--conf "${base}.conf" \