diff --git a/src/etc/inc/system.inc b/src/etc/inc/system.inc
index 9b7311477..4cedc19da 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/system.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/system.inc
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ function system_hosts_generate()
     }
 
     /* XXX currenty taints the hosts file, unbound doesn't */
-    hosts .= dnsmasq_hosts_generate();
+    $hosts .= dnsmasq_hosts_generate();
     unbound_hosts_generate();
 
     /*