diff --git a/Shorewall/lib.base b/Shorewall/lib.base
index acb54468f..a85563c5b 100644
--- a/Shorewall/lib.base
+++ b/Shorewall/lib.base
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ reload_kernel_modules() {
 	[ -d $directory ] && moduledirectories="$moduledirectories $directory"
     done
 
-    while read command; do
+    [ -n "$moduledirectories" ] && while read command; do
 	eval $command
     done