diff --git a/makedist.sh b/makedist.sh
index 4cb84e0fe..08cb26e3b 100755
--- a/makedist.sh
+++ b/makedist.sh
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
 fi
 
 VERSION=$1
-TREEISH="HEAD"
-if [ $# -gt 1 ]; then
-    TREEISH=$2
-fi
+TREEISH=${2:-HEAD}
 
 PREFIX="weechat-${VERSION}/"
 FILE="weechat-${VERSION}.tar"