diff --git a/server/listen.c b/server/listen.c
index 80cfd1b059d..a39a3b5a238 100644
--- a/server/listen.c
+++ b/server/listen.c
@@ -370,11 +370,10 @@ static const char *set_systemd_listener(process_rec *process, apr_port_t port,
     }
 
     if (last == NULL) {
-        ap_listeners = last = new;
+        ap_listeners = new;
     }
     else {
         last->next = new;
-        last = new;
     }
 
     return NULL;