diff --git a/systemvm/patches/debian/vpn/opt/cloud/bin/vpn_l2tp.sh b/systemvm/patches/debian/vpn/opt/cloud/bin/vpn_l2tp.sh
index 86148a34624..5afe0096d9a 100755
--- a/systemvm/patches/debian/vpn/opt/cloud/bin/vpn_l2tp.sh
+++ b/systemvm/patches/debian/vpn/opt/cloud/bin/vpn_l2tp.sh
@@ -150,8 +150,12 @@ add_l2tp_ipsec_user() {
    local u=$1
    local passwd=$2
 
-   remove_l2tp_ipsec_user $u
-   echo "$u * $passwd *" >> /etc/ppp/chap-secrets
+   uptodate=$(grep "^$u \* $passwd \*$" /etc/ppp/chap-secrets)
+   if [ "$uptodate" == "" ]
+   then
+       remove_l2tp_ipsec_user $u
+       echo "$u * $passwd *" >> /etc/ppp/chap-secrets
+   fi
 }
 
 rflag=