diff --git a/sys/nlm/nlm_prot_impl.c b/sys/nlm/nlm_prot_impl.c
index 387b0090578..74fae870efa 100644
--- a/sys/nlm/nlm_prot_impl.c
+++ b/sys/nlm/nlm_prot_impl.c
@@ -1072,7 +1072,7 @@ nlm_find_host_by_addr(const struct sockaddr *addr, int vers)
 		break;
 #endif
 	default:
-		strcmp(tmp, "<unknown>");
+		strlcpy(tmp, "<unknown>", sizeof(tmp));
 	}