diff --git a/system/nxinit/parser.c b/system/nxinit/parser.c
index cdd85362e..58da50340 100644
--- a/system/nxinit/parser.c
+++ b/system/nxinit/parser.c
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ int init_parse_arguments(FAR char *buf, bool dup, int argc, FAR char **argv)
   bool new = true;
   int i = 0;
 
-  while (*buf != '\0')
+  for (; ; )
     {
       while (isblank(*buf))
         {
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ int init_parse_arguments(FAR char *buf, bool dup, int argc, FAR char **argv)
             }
         }
 
+      if (*buf == '\0')
+        {
+          break;
+        }
+
       if (new)
         {
           argv[i++] = buf;