diff --git a/sys/powerpc/include/param.h b/sys/powerpc/include/param.h
index 19494f9d64f..6180b661c69 100644
--- a/sys/powerpc/include/param.h
+++ b/sys/powerpc/include/param.h
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
 #endif
 
 #ifndef	_MACHINE
-#define	_MACHINE	"powerpc"
+#define	_MACHINE	powerpc
 #endif
 #ifndef _MACHINE_ARCH
-#define	_MACHINE_ARCH	"powerpc"
+#define	_MACHINE_ARCH	powerpc
 #endif
 
 #ifndef _NO_NAMESPACE_POLLUTION