diff --git a/overlays/wwinit/etc/issue.ww b/overlays/wwinit/etc/issue.ww
index 38088e3d..d526a2b6 100644
--- a/overlays/wwinit/etc/issue.ww
+++ b/overlays/wwinit/etc/issue.ww
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Warewulf Node:      {{.Id}}
 Container:          {{.Container}}
-Kernel:             {{.Kernel.Version}}
+{{ if .Kernel.Version }}Kernel:             {{.Kernel.Version}} {{ end -}}
 Kernelargs:         {{.Kernel.Args}}
 
 Network: