diff --git a/functions/main b/functions/main
index b3d4c3e6..8a83e5ea 100644
--- a/functions/main
+++ b/functions/main
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ console_output() {
 
   # indent depending on number of characters in date output
   timestamp_replacementchars="$(printf -- "%s: " "$timestamp" | sed 's/./ /g')"
-  printf -- "$timestamp $HNAME: $*"
+  printf -- "$timestamp ${HNAME:-}: $*"
 }
 # }}}