diff --git a/package/ntp/S49ntp b/package/ntp/S49ntp
index b4047fceda..35e58746b4 100755
--- a/package/ntp/S49ntp
+++ b/package/ntp/S49ntp
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 
 NAME=ntpd
-DAEMON=/usr/sbin/$NAME
-
-# Gracefully exit if the package has been removed.
-test -x $DAEMON || exit 0
 
 # Read config file if it is present.
 if [ -r /etc/default/$NAME ]
@@ -15,7 +11,7 @@ fi
 case "$1" in
   start)
     printf "Starting $NAME: "
-    start-stop-daemon -S -q -x $DAEMON -- -g
+    start-stop-daemon -S -q -x /usr/sbin/ntpd -- -g
     [ $? = 0 ] && echo "OK" || echo "FAIL"
     ;;
   stop)