diff --git a/usr.sbin/periodic/periodic.sh b/usr.sbin/periodic/periodic.sh
index 077afa40c563..ca426e5c50d0 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/periodic/periodic.sh
+++ b/usr.sbin/periodic/periodic.sh
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ else
 fi
 
 host=`hostname`
+export host
 echo "Subject: $host $run run output"
 
 # Execute each executable file in the directory list.  If the x bit is not