diff --git a/debian/grantpriv.sh b/debian/grantpriv.sh
index 354a44cfeb..63ce624afd 100755
--- a/debian/grantpriv.sh
+++ b/debian/grantpriv.sh
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ set -e
 dbname=gitlab_production
 
 # Take gitlab_user from envornment variable or use gitlab
-test -n "${gitlab_user:-}" || gitlab_user="gitlab"
+gitlab_user=${gitlab_user:-gitlab}
 
 # If gitlab user cannot access gitlab_production,
 # then it means the gitlab role does not exist