diff --git a/packages/sysutils/busybox/init.d/23_syslogd b/packages/sysutils/busybox/init.d/23_syslogd
index 82d727e546..b34ed534a5 100644
--- a/packages/sysutils/busybox/init.d/23_syslogd
+++ b/packages/sysutils/busybox/init.d/23_syslogd
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@
 # runlevels: openelec, textmode
 
 (
+  # can be called from openelec addon.
+  # ensure that environment is sane
+  . /etc/profile
+
   progress "Starting Syslog daemon"
 
   if [ -e $CONFIG_CACHE/syslog/remote ] ; then