diff --git a/modules/shepherd/scripts/herd.scm b/modules/shepherd/scripts/herd.scm
index 106de1e..513508f 100644
--- a/modules/shepherd/scripts/herd.scm
+++ b/modules/shepherd/scripts/herd.scm
@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ the daemon via SOCKET-FILE."
   (with-system-error-handling
    (let ((sock    (open-connection socket-file))
          (action* (if (and (eq? action 'detailed-status)
-                           (memq service '(root shepherd)))
+                           (or (eq? service 'root)
+                               (eq? service 'shepherd)))
                       'status
                       action)))
      ;; Send the command.