diff --git a/usr.sbin/kbdcontrol/kbdcontrol.c b/usr.sbin/kbdcontrol/kbdcontrol.c
index 73ee449755b6..3144e44d72b3 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/kbdcontrol/kbdcontrol.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/kbdcontrol/kbdcontrol.c
@@ -961,6 +961,8 @@ set_bell_values(char *opt)
 	int bell, duration, pitch;
 
 	bell = 0;
+	duration = 0;
+	pitch = 0;
 	if (!strncmp(opt, "quiet.", 6)) {
 		bell = CONS_QUIET_BELL;
 		opt += 6;
@@ -991,8 +993,8 @@ set_bell_values(char *opt)
 	}
 
 	ioctl(0, CONS_BELLTYPE, &bell);
-	if (!(bell & CONS_VISUAL_BELL))
-		fprintf(stderr, "[=%d;%dB", pitch, duration);
+	if (duration > 0 && pitch > 0)
+		fprintf(stderr, "\e[=%d;%dB", pitch, duration);
 }
 
 static void