--- 3.3.1-spamd.init
+++ 3.3.1-spamd.init
@@ -19,17 +19,20 @@
 }
 
 start() {
+	local retval=1
 	ebegin "Starting spamd"
 	start-stop-daemon --start --quiet \
 		--name spamd \
 		--nicelevel ${SPAMD_NICELEVEL:-0} \
 		--pidfile ${PIDFILE} \
 		--exec /usr/sbin/spamd -- -d -r ${PIDFILE} \
-			${SPAMD_OPTS}
+			${SPAMD_OPTS} \
+				&& retval=0
+			
 	if ! [ -f "${PIDFILE}" ]; then
 		sleep 1
 	fi
-	eend $? "Failed to start spamd"
+	eend ${retval} "Failed to start spamd"
 }
 
 stop() {