diff --git a/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh b/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
index bf87548ca5..f7cb878bc9 100755
--- a/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ config_clear() {
 }
 
 config_load() {
+	CONFIG_SECTION=
 	local DIR="./"
 	_C=0
 	[ \! -e "$1" -a -e "/etc/config/$1" ] && {