diff --git a/ejabberdctl.template b/ejabberdctl.template
index bdc9a9189..4cab19977 100755
--- a/ejabberdctl.template
+++ b/ejabberdctl.template
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ INET_DIST_INTERFACE=""
 ERLANG_NODE=ejabberd@localhost
 
 # define default environment variables
-SCRIPT_DIR=$(cd "${0%/*}" && pwd)
+[ -z "$SCRIPT" ] && SCRIPT=$0
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$SCRIPT")" && pwd -P)"
 ERL="{{erl}}"
 IEX="{{bindir}}/iex"
 EPMD="{{epmd}}"