diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index eef0f4424..c4a95d577 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -3031,7 +3031,7 @@ static int start_special(sd_bus *bus, char **args) {
                 return -EPERM;
         }
 
-        if (a == ACTION_REBOOT) {
+        if (a == ACTION_REBOOT && args[1]) {
                 r = update_reboot_param_file(args[1]);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return r;