--- a/usr/lib/byobu/services
+++ b/usr/lib/byobu/services
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ service_running() {
 }
 
 __services() {
-	local services=
+	local services="$SERVICES"
 	# Users can define a list of services to monitor in $BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR/status
 	if [ -z "$services" ]; then
 		if [ -f "/etc/eucalyptus/eucalyptus.conf" ]; then