diff --git a/etc/inc/auth.inc b/etc/inc/auth.inc
index 62bf4895aa..5e46c25512 100644
--- a/etc/inc/auth.inc
+++ b/etc/inc/auth.inc
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ function local_user_set(& $user) {
 
 	if($debug)
 		log_error("Running: {$cmd}");
-	$fd = popen($cmd, "r+");
+	$fd = popen($cmd, "w");
 	fwrite($fd, $user['password']);
 	pclose($fd);
 
@@ -882,4 +882,4 @@ function session_auth($backing) {
 	return true;
 }
 
-?>
\ No newline at end of file
+?>