diff --git a/ejabberd.service.template b/ejabberd.service.template
index 79c2a6441..80b15adbd 100644
--- a/ejabberd.service.template
+++ b/ejabberd.service.template
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ User=ejabberd
 Group=ejabberd
 LimitNOFILE=16000
 RestartSec=5
-ExecStart=/bin/sh @ctlscriptpath@/ejabberdctl start
+ExecStart=@ctlscriptpath@/ejabberdctl start
 ExecStop=@ctlscriptpath@/ejabberdctl stop
 ExecReload=@ctlscriptpath@/ejabberdctl reload_config
 Type=oneshot