diff --git a/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/initramfs-framework/init b/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/initramfs-framework/init
index 9291ad5c21..204f2379a5 100755
--- a/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/initramfs-framework/init
+++ b/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/initramfs-framework/init
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ fatal() {
     echo $1 >/dev/console
     echo >/dev/console
 
-    if [ -n "bootparam_init_fatal_sh" ]; then
+    if [ -n "$bootparam_init_fatal_sh" ]; then
         sh
     else
 	while [ "true" ]; do