diff --git a/modules/src/em_data/new_table b/modules/src/em_data/new_table
index e703f8b15..78e86c558 100755
--- a/modules/src/em_data/new_table
+++ b/modules/src/em_data/new_table
@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@ em_table=$2
 h=${3-.}
 d=${4-.}
 
-set `grep fpseu $em_table`
-p=$2
-set `grep fmnem $em_table`
-m=$2
+p=$(grep fpseu $em_table` | cut -f2)
+m=$(grep fmnem $em_table` | cut -f2)
 
 $ed - $em_table <<'A' > X
 1,/^$/g/	/s// /gp