diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/gencode-remote b/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/gencode-remote
index 58ff6a4a..a8abebbc 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/gencode-remote
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/gencode-remote
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 #
 #
 
-state_should="$(cat "$__object/parameter/state" 2>/dev/null || echo present)"
+state_should="$(cat "$__object/parameter/state")"
 state_is=$(cat "$__object/explorer/state")
 
 # Short circuit if nothing is to be done
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/parameter/default/state b/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/parameter/default/state
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7f6134f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__start_on_boot/parameter/default/state
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+present