diff --git a/fs_mgr/fs_mgr_boot_config.cpp b/fs_mgr/fs_mgr_boot_config.cpp
index ab5beed81..911766752 100644
--- a/fs_mgr/fs_mgr_boot_config.cpp
+++ b/fs_mgr/fs_mgr_boot_config.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+#include <string>
+
 #include <android-base/file.h>
 #include <android-base/stringprintf.h>
 #include <android-base/strings.h>
@@ -51,9 +53,11 @@ bool fs_mgr_get_boot_config(const std::string& key, std::string* out_val) {
     // lastly, check the device tree
     if (is_dt_compatible()) {
         std::string file_name = kAndroidDtDir + "/" + key;
-        // DT entries terminate with '\0' but so do the properties
         if (android::base::ReadFileToString(file_name, out_val)) {
-            return true;
+            if (!out_val->empty()) {
+                out_val->pop_back();  // Trims the trailing '\0' out.
+                return true;
+            }
         }
     }