diff --git a/appl/ftp/ftpd/ftpd.c b/appl/ftp/ftpd/ftpd.c
index b8dc92062..a9044c543 100644
--- a/appl/ftp/ftpd/ftpd.c
+++ b/appl/ftp/ftpd/ftpd.c
@@ -2133,8 +2133,8 @@ send_file_list(char *whichf)
        */
       if (dirname[0] == '-' && *dirlist == NULL &&
 	  transflag == 0) {
-	retrieve("/bin/ls -- %s", dirname);
-	goto out;
+	  list_file(dirname);
+	  goto out;
       }
       perror_reply(550, whichf);
       if (dout != NULL) {