diff --git a/utils/watchcat/files/uci_defaults_watchcat b/utils/watchcat/files/uci_defaults_watchcat
index 1c457d7a9..49def81eb 100644
--- a/utils/watchcat/files/uci_defaults_watchcat
+++ b/utils/watchcat/files/uci_defaults_watchcat
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-[ -n "$(uci -q show system.@watchcat[0])" ] || {
+uci -q show system.@watchcat[0] || {
 	uci add system watchcat
 	uci set system.@watchcat[0].period=6h
 	uci set system.@watchcat[0].mode=ping