diff --git a/package/base-files/files/etc/init.d/sysctl b/package/base-files/files/etc/init.d/sysctl
index a236a0194b..4db56444c7 100755
--- a/package/base-files/files/etc/init.d/sysctl
+++ b/package/base-files/files/etc/init.d/sysctl
@@ -39,6 +39,6 @@ apply_defaults() {
 start() {
 	apply_defaults
 	for CONF in /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf /etc/sysctl.conf; do
-		[ -f "$CONF" ] && sysctl -p "$CONF" -e >&-
+		[ -f "$CONF" ] && sysctl -e -p "$CONF" >&-
 	done
 }