diff --git a/lib/puppet/provider/mysql.rb b/lib/puppet/provider/mysql.rb
index 173d3ce9e..cc05876a9 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/provider/mysql.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/provider/mysql.rb
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def defaults_file
 
   def self.mysql_caller(text_of_sql, type)
     if type.eql? 'system'
-      mysql_raw([defaults_file, '--host=', system_database, '-e', text_of_sql].flatten.compact)
+      mysql_raw([defaults_file, system_database, '-e', text_of_sql].flatten.compact)
     elsif type.eql? 'regular'
       mysql_raw([defaults_file, '-NBe', text_of_sql].flatten.compact)
     else