diff --git a/examples/var_service/ntpd/ntp.script b/examples/var_service/ntpd/ntp.script
index 8542181eb..6cd81014d 100755
--- a/examples/var_service/ntpd/ntp.script
+++ b/examples/var_service/ntpd/ntp.script
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #!/bin/sh
-
 # Note that there is no provision to prevent several copies of the script
 # to be run in quick succession. In fact, it happens rather often
 # if initial syncronization results in a step.
@@ -8,6 +7,9 @@
 #
 # Script should be ready to deal with this.
 
+# For other parts of the system which prefer to run only on the stable clock
+echo "$1" >rundir/sync_status
+
 dt=`date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S'`
 
 echo "`tail -n 199 -- "$0.log" 2>/dev/null`" >"$0.log.$$"