diff --git a/src/ejabberdctl.template b/src/ejabberdctl.template
index 007921b83..cd33b3441 100644
--- a/src/ejabberdctl.template
+++ b/src/ejabberdctl.template
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ if [ "$DIST_INTERFACE" != "" ] ; then
 fi
 
 if [ "$INET_DIST_INTERFACE" != "" ] ; then
-    KERNEL_OPTS+="-kernel inet_dist_use_interface \"${INET_DIST_INTERFACE}\""
+    KERNEL_OPTS+=" -kernel inet_dist_use_interface \"${INET_DIST_INTERFACE}\""
 fi
 
 ERLANG_OPTS="+K $POLL -smp $SMP +P $ERL_PROCESSES $ERL_OPTIONS"