diff --git a/ejabberdctl.template b/ejabberdctl.template
index f65c21f51..d585d66f7 100755
--- a/ejabberdctl.template
+++ b/ejabberdctl.template
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ ERL_INETRC=$ETC_DIR/inetrc
 # define mnesia options
 MNESIA_OPTS="-mnesia dir \"\\\"$SPOOL_DIR\\\"\" $MNESIA_OPTIONS"
 # define erl parameters
-ERL_OPTIONS=$(echo $ERL_OPTIONS | sed 's/ /\\ /g')
 ERLANG_OPTS="+K $POLL -smp $SMP +P $ERL_PROCESSES $ERL_OPTIONS"
 KERNEL_OPTS=""
 if [ "$FIREWALL_WINDOW" != "" ] ; then