diff --git a/plugins/plugin_pam_phase1 b/plugins/plugin_pam_phase1
index a190bf16..e7c706a4 100644
--- a/plugins/plugin_pam_phase1
+++ b/plugins/plugin_pam_phase1
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------
 #########################################################################
 #
+    MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY=""
+
     PAM_DIRECTORY="/etc/pam.d"
     # Test        : PLGN-0010
     # Description : Check PAM configuration
@@ -218,7 +220,6 @@
                                         if [ "${CREDITS_L_PASSWORD}" = "" ]; then CREDITS_L_PASSWORD=1; fi
                                         if [ "${CREDITS_O_PASSWORD}" = "" ]; then CREDITS_O_PASSWORD=1; fi
                                         if [ "${CREDITS_U_PASSWORD}" = "" ]; then CREDITS_U_PASSWORD=1; fi
-                                        if [ "${MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY}" = "" ]; then MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY=1; fi
                                         if [ "${MIN_PASSWORD_CLASS}" = "" ]; then MIN_PASSWORD_CLASS=0; fi
                                         if [ "${MIN_PASSWORD_LENGTH}" = "" ]; then MIN_PASSWORD_LENGTH=6; fi
 
@@ -400,7 +401,7 @@ if [ ${PAM_PASSWORD_STRENGTH_TESTED} -eq 1 ]; then
 fi
 
 # Show how many retries are allowed to change password
-if [ ! "${MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY}" = "" ]; then
+if [ ! -z "${MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY}" ]; then
     LogText "[PAM] Password maximum retry: ${MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY}"
     Report "max_password_retry=${MAX_PASSWORD_RETRY}"
   else