diff --git a/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh b/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
index 6d1e469a8c4f..096e537bb171 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
+++ b/usr.sbin/adduser/adduser.sh
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ input_interactive() {
 					read -r upass
 					echo''
 					echo -n "Enter password again: "
-					read _passconfirm
+					read -r _passconfirm
 					echo ''
 					stty echo
 					# if user entered a blank password