diff --git a/sys/dev/bge/if_bge.c b/sys/dev/bge/if_bge.c
index a646ed226d3..3e43b8e3144 100644
--- a/sys/dev/bge/if_bge.c
+++ b/sys/dev/bge/if_bge.c
@@ -2699,7 +2699,6 @@ bge_chipid(device_t dev)
 static int
 bge_probe(device_t dev)
 {
-	char buf[96];
 	char model[64];
 	const struct bge_revision *br;
 	const char *pname;
@@ -2727,9 +2726,8 @@ bge_probe(device_t dev)
 				    br != NULL ? br->br_name :
 				    "NetXtreme/NetLink Ethernet Controller");
 			}
-			snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%s, %sASIC rev. %#08x",
+			device_set_descf(dev, "%s, %sASIC rev. %#08x",
 			    model, br != NULL ? "" : "unknown ", id);
-			device_set_desc_copy(dev, buf);
 			return (BUS_PROBE_DEFAULT);
 		}
 		t++;