diff --git a/net/nut/files/nut-monitor.init b/net/nut/files/nut-monitor.init
index 1e3ab2930..72458f21a 100755
--- a/net/nut/files/nut-monitor.init
+++ b/net/nut/files/nut-monitor.init
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ build_config() {
 	config_foreach nut_upsmon_add master master
 	config_foreach nut_upsmon_add slave slave
 
-	[ ! -s "$(cat /var/etc/nut/nut.conf)" ] && {
+	[ ! -s /var/etc/nut/nut.conf ] && {
 		echo "MODE=netclient" >>/var/etc/nut/nut.conf
 		chmod 640 /var/etc/nut/nut.conf
 		chgrp $(id -gn ${runas:-root}) /var/etc/nut/nut.conf