diff --git a/boot/satellite.ks b/boot/satellite.ks
index 3ab713a..6023cf3 100644
--- a/boot/satellite.ks
+++ b/boot/satellite.ks
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 RunOncePath("0:/lib/boot").
 
+parameter debug is false.
+
 Bootstrap(
   "/boot/satellite",
   "",
diff --git a/lib/boot.ks b/lib/boot.ks
index 5504971..334ed68 100644
--- a/lib/boot.ks
+++ b/lib/boot.ks
@@ -4,13 +4,17 @@ function Bootstrap {
 
   // create a list of libraries that we need to compile
   local libs is UniqueSet().
-  addLibs(libs, init).
+  if init <> "" {
+    addLibs(libs, init).
+  }
   for program in programs {
     addLibs(libs, program).
   }
 
   // compile the main program files
-  compileFile(init, "/init", debug).
+  if init <> "" {
+    compileFile(init, "/init", debug).
+  }
   for program in programs {
     compileFile(program, program:Replace("/prog", ""), debug).
   }