diff --git a/libexec/rc/rc.d/ftpd b/libexec/rc/rc.d/ftpd
--- a/libexec/rc/rc.d/ftpd
+++ b/libexec/rc/rc.d/ftpd
@@ -12,12 +12,11 @@
 desc="Internet File Transfer Protocol daemon"
 rcvar="ftpd_enable"
 command="/usr/libexec/${name}"
+command_args="-D"
 pidfile="/var/run/${name}.pid"
 
 : ${ftpd_svcj_options:="net_basic"}
 
 load_rc_config $name
 
-flags="-D ${flags} ${rc_flags}"
-
 run_rc_command "$1"