diff --git a/include/helper_generate b/include/helper_generate
index 67b58b66..f3a8d909 100644
--- a/include/helper_generate
+++ b/include/helper_generate
@@ -51,8 +51,10 @@ if [ $# -gt 0 ]; then
                 ;;
                 *)
                     # xxd does not exist on FreeBSD
-                    HOSTID=$(head -c20 < /dev/urandom | hexdump -ve '"%.2x"')
-                    HOSTID2=$(head -c32 < /dev/urandom | hexdump -ve '"%.2x"')
+                    # Note: hexdump may omit leading or trailing zeroes.
+                    # Take 100 characters as input, turn to hex, then take first 40/64.
+                    HOSTID=$(head -c100 < /dev/urandom | hexdump -ve '"%.2x"' | head -c40)
+                    HOSTID2=$(head -c100 < /dev/urandom | hexdump -ve '"%.2x"' | head -c64)
                 ;;
             esac