diff --git a/build b/build
index fb8ff16c4..2b8078aa9 100755
--- a/build
+++ b/build
@@ -33,13 +33,14 @@ function mvn {
     ./mvnw $*
 }
 
-command="$1"; shift
-
+command="$1"
 # complain if no command is given
 if [ -z "$command" ]; then
     usage
 fi
 
+shift
+
 case "$command" in
     # change the version of the project
     change-version)