diff --git a/bin/tests/system/start.pl b/bin/tests/system/start.pl
index 59d74a2603..082f1c0f2d 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/start.pl
+++ b/bin/tests/system/start.pl
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 # OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
 # PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 
-# $Id: start.pl,v 1.5.18.7 2011/05/05 04:56:25 marka Exp $
+# $Id: start.pl,v 1.5.18.8 2011/05/05 23:26:26 smann Exp $
 
 # Framework for starting test servers.
 # Based on the type of server specified, check for port availability, remove
@@ -175,6 +175,7 @@ sub start_server {
 
 	# start the server
 	my $child = `$command`;
+	$child =~ s/\s+$//g;
 
 	# wait up to 14 seconds for the server to start and to write the
 	# pid file otherwise kill this server and any others that have