diff --git a/src/etc/inc/filter.inc b/src/etc/inc/filter.inc
index 17bf6537a..32b1187ad 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/filter.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/filter.inc
@@ -464,7 +464,6 @@ function filter_configure_sync()
         $limitrules .= "set timeout src.track {$config['system']['srctrack']}\n";
     }
 
-    $rules = "";
     $rules = "{$limitrules}\n";
     $rules .= "{$aliases} \n";
     $rules .= "{$gateways} \n";