diff --git a/debian/syncd.init b/debian/syncd.init
index 782ead6d7b06..d98113bff56e 100644
--- a/debian/syncd.init
+++ b/debian/syncd.init
@@ -16,36 +16,39 @@ DAEMON_SYNCD=/usr/bin/syncd
 DAEMON_DSSERVE=/usr/local/bin/dsserve
 DAEMON_DSSERVE_ARGS="-d $DAEMON_SYNCD --diag"
 
+if [ -x $DAEMON_DSSERVE ]; then
+    DAEMON=$DAEMON_DSSERVE
+    DAEMON_ARGS=$DAEMON_DSSERVE_ARGS
+else
+    DAEMON=$DAEMON_SYNCD
+fi
+
 start_bcm()
 {
     [ -e /dev/linux-bcm-knet ] || mknod /dev/linux-bcm-knet c 122 0
     [ -e /dev/linux-user-bde ] || mknod /dev/linux-user-bde c 126 0
     [ -e /dev/linux-kernel-bde ] || mknod /dev/linux-kernel-bde c 127 0
+}
 
-    if [ -x $DAEMON_DSSERVE ]; then
-        DAEMON=$DAEMON_DSSERVE
-        DAEMON_ARGS=$DAEMON_DSSERVE_ARGS
-    else
-        DAEMON=$DAEMON_SYNCD
-    fi
+start_mlnx()
+{
+    mkdir -p /dev/sxdevs
+    [ -e /dev/sxdevs/sxcdev ] || mknod /dev/sxdevs/sxcdev c 231 193
 }
 
 case "$1" in
 start)
-    . /etc/machine.conf
+    [ -r /etc/machine.conf ] && . /etc/machine.conf
 
     if [ "$onie_platform" == "x86_64-dell_s6000_s1220-r0" ]; then
         start_bcm
 
     elif [ "$onie_platform" == "x86_64-dell_s6100_c2538-r0" ]; then
         start_bcm
-
         DAEMON_ARGS+=" -p /etc/syncd.d/dell_s6100.profile -N"
-    elif [ "$onie_platform" == "x86_64-mlnx_x86-r5.0.1400" ]; then
-        mkdir -p /dev/sxdevs
-        [ -e /dev/sxdevs/sxcdev ] || mknod /dev/sxdevs/sxcdev c 231 193
 
-        DAEMON=$DAEMON_SYNCD
+    elif [ "$onie_platform" == "x86_64-mlnx_x86-r5.0.1400" ]; then
+        start_mlnx
         DAEMON_ARGS="-p /etc/syncd.d/mlnx_2700.profile -N"
     fi