diff --git a/kernel/printk/printk.c b/kernel/printk/printk.c
index 568729e0dc2c..bf2e6741ec12 100644
--- a/kernel/printk/printk.c
+++ b/kernel/printk/printk.c
@@ -131,13 +131,10 @@ static int __init control_devkmsg(char *str)
 	/*
 	 * Set sysctl string accordingly:
 	 */
-	if (devkmsg_log == DEVKMSG_LOG_MASK_ON) {
-		memset(devkmsg_log_str, 0, DEVKMSG_STR_MAX_SIZE);
-		strncpy(devkmsg_log_str, "on", 2);
-	} else if (devkmsg_log == DEVKMSG_LOG_MASK_OFF) {
-		memset(devkmsg_log_str, 0, DEVKMSG_STR_MAX_SIZE);
-		strncpy(devkmsg_log_str, "off", 3);
-	}
+	if (devkmsg_log == DEVKMSG_LOG_MASK_ON)
+		strcpy(devkmsg_log_str, "on");
+	else if (devkmsg_log == DEVKMSG_LOG_MASK_OFF)
+		strcpy(devkmsg_log_str, "off");
 	/* else "ratelimit" which is set by default. */
 
 	/*