diff --git a/src/etc/netstart b/src/etc/netstart
index 30f91893..c4ba1fb8 100644
--- a/src/etc/netstart
+++ b/src/etc/netstart
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh -
 #
-#	$OpenBSD: netstart,v 1.157 2015/10/23 15:22:49 claudio Exp $
+#	$OpenBSD: netstart,v 1.158 2015/10/26 19:24:04 rpe Exp $
 
 # Turn off Strict Bourne shell mode.
 set +o sh
@@ -185,10 +185,7 @@ fi
 
 # /etc/myname contains my symbolic name.
 if [ -f /etc/myname ]; then
-	hostname=`stripcom /etc/myname`
-	hostname $hostname
-else
-	hostname=`hostname`
+	hostname "$(stripcom /etc/myname)"
 fi
 
 # Set the address for the loopback interface.  Bringing the interface up,