diff --git a/src/Main/fg_io.cxx b/src/Main/fg_io.cxx
index 595e6903a..29b85d886 100644
--- a/src/Main/fg_io.cxx
+++ b/src/Main/fg_io.cxx
@@ -193,13 +193,13 @@ FGIO::parse_port_config( const string_list& tokens, bool& o_ok )
 
             // multiplay used to be handled by an FGProtocol, but no longer. This code
             // retains compatibility with existing command-line syntax
-            fgSetInt("/sim/multiplay/tx-rate-hz", rate);
             if (dir == "in") {
                 fgSetInt("/sim/multiplay/rxport", port);
                 fgSetString("/sim/multiplay/rxhost", host.c_str());
             } else if (dir == "out") {
                 fgSetInt("/sim/multiplay/txport", port);
                 fgSetString("/sim/multiplay/txhost", host.c_str());
+                fgSetInt("/sim/multiplay/tx-rate-hz", rate);
             }
             o_ok = true;
             return NULL;