diff --git a/Shorewall/lib.common b/Shorewall/lib.common
index 1c3d304c4..2c58d0102 100644
--- a/Shorewall/lib.common
+++ b/Shorewall/lib.common
@@ -435,7 +435,11 @@ find_first_interface_address() # $1 = interface
     #
     # If there wasn't one, bail out now
     #
-    [ -n "$addr" ] || startup_error "Can't determine the IP address of $1"
+    if [ -z "$addr" ]; then
+	echo "   ERROR: Can't determine the IP address of $1" >&2
+	kill $$
+	exit 1
+    fi
     #
     # Strip off the trailing VLSM mask (or the peer IP in case of a P-t-P link)
     # along with everything else on the line