diff --git a/meta/classes/image-vm.bbclass b/meta/classes/image-vm.bbclass
index 35c9244e9b..98bd92000e 100644
--- a/meta/classes/image-vm.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/image-vm.bbclass
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ build_boot_dd() {
 
 	parted $IMAGE print
 
-	awk "BEGIN { printf \"$(echo ${DISK_SIGNATURE} | fold -w 2 | tac | paste -sd '' | sed 's/\(..\)/\\x&/g')\" }" | \
+	awk "BEGIN { printf \"$(echo ${DISK_SIGNATURE} | sed 's/\(..\)\(..\)\(..\)\(..\)/\\x\4\\x\3\\x\2\\x\1/')\" }" | \
 		dd of=$IMAGE bs=1 seek=440 conv=notrunc
 
 	OFFSET=`expr $END2 / 512`