diff --git a/lib/init/rc.boot b/lib/init/rc.boot
index 2a97c32..7495152 100755
--- a/lib/init/rc.boot
+++ b/lib/init/rc.boot
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ log "Activating encrypted devices (if any exist)..."; {
 }
 
 log "Loading rc.conf settings..."; {
-    . /etc/rc.conf
+    [ -f /etc/rc.conf ] && . /etc/rc.conf
 }
 
 log "Checking filesystems..."; {
diff --git a/lib/init/rc.shutdown b/lib/init/rc.shutdown
index 14e8409..e249e7b 100755
--- a/lib/init/rc.shutdown
+++ b/lib/init/rc.shutdown
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 PATH=/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
 
 log "Loading rc.conf settings..."; {
-    . /etc/rc.conf
+    [ -f /etc/rc.conf ] && . /etc/rc.conf
 }
 
 log "Running shutdown pre hooks..."; {