diff --git a/xCAT/postscripts/syslog b/xCAT/postscripts/syslog
index 5d1ed1fc9..6eb91f89a 100755
--- a/xCAT/postscripts/syslog
+++ b/xCAT/postscripts/syslog
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ if [ -f /etc/xCATMN ]; then
   goLocal=1
 else 
   if [ $isSN -eq 1 ]; then
-     if [ $SVLOGLOCAL -eq 1 ]; then
+     if [ -n "$SVLOGLOCAL" ] && [ $SVLOGLOCAL -eq 1 ]; then
        goLocal=1  
      fi
   fi