diff --git a/etc/inc/vpn.inc b/etc/inc/vpn.inc
index 6f48820bff..f0641b7ba9 100644
--- a/etc/inc/vpn.inc
+++ b/etc/inc/vpn.inc
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ function vpn_ipsec_configure($ipchg = false)
 		$filterdns_list = array();
 		if (is_array($a_phase1) && count($a_phase1)) {
 
+			$ipsecpinghosts = "";
 			/* step through each phase1 entry */
 			foreach ($a_phase1 as $ph1ent) {
 				if (isset($ph1ent['disabled']))
@@ -171,7 +172,6 @@ function vpn_ipsec_configure($ipchg = false)
 				$rgmap[$ph1ent['remote-gateway']] = $rg;
 
 				/* step through each phase2 entry */
-				$ipsecpinghosts = "";
 				foreach ($a_phase2 as $ph2ent) {
 
 					$ikeid = $ph2ent['ikeid'];