diff --git a/dist/common/scripts/scylla_sysconfig_setup b/dist/common/scripts/scylla_sysconfig_setup
index 7c25683b2f..38d796cb7d 100755
--- a/dist/common/scripts/scylla_sysconfig_setup
+++ b/dist/common/scripts/scylla_sysconfig_setup
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
             shift 2
             ;;
         "--setup-nic")
-            SETUP_NIC=1
+            SET_NIC=yes
             shift 1
             ;;
         "--ami")