diff --git a/ssm b/ssm
index b066e13..37216e0 100755
--- a/ssm
+++ b/ssm
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ fi
 
 # Let's see if there's a PID
 if [[ -f "$service_pidfile" ]]; then
-	service_pid = "$(<$service_pidfile)"
+	read -r service_pid < "$service_pidfile"
 
 	# Let's see if it's running
 	if nullexec kill -0 "$service_pid"; then