diff --git a/usr.sbin/powerd/powerd.c b/usr.sbin/powerd/powerd.c
index 10230a014e33..11b912f8562a 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/powerd/powerd.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/powerd/powerd.c
@@ -488,9 +488,6 @@ main(int argc, char * argv[])
 	signal(SIGTERM, handle_sigs);
 	signal(SIGPIPE, SIG_IGN);
 
-	/* Decide whether to use ACPI or APM to read the AC line status. */
-	acline_init();
-
 	/* Run in the background unless in verbose mode. */
 	if (!vflag) {
 		pid_t otherpid;
@@ -512,6 +509,9 @@ main(int argc, char * argv[])
 		pidfile_write(pfh);
 	}
 
+	/* Decide whether to use ACPI or APM to read the AC line status. */
+	acline_init();
+
 	/* Main loop. */
 	for (;;) {
 		/* Check status every few milliseconds. */