diff --git a/src/generator.c b/src/generator.c
index 32824ef5..bea23bf2 100644
--- a/src/generator.c
+++ b/src/generator.c
@@ -1735,15 +1735,11 @@ retry:
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-/* Queue up to the requested amount */
-static void recruit_subproxy(proxy_instance_t *proxi, const char *buf)
+static void recruit_subproxies(proxy_instance_t *proxi, const int recruits)
 {
 	bool recruit = false;
-	int recruits = 1;
 	pthread_t pth;
 
-	sscanf(buf, "recruit=%d", &recruits);
-
 	mutex_lock(&proxi->proxy_lock);
 	if (!proxi->recruit)
 		recruit = true;
@@ -1755,6 +1751,15 @@ static void recruit_subproxy(proxy_instance_t *proxi, const char *buf)
 		create_pthread(&pth, proxy_recruit, proxi);
 }
 
+/* Queue up to the requested amount */
+static void recruit_subproxy(proxy_instance_t *proxi, const char *buf)
+{
+	int recruits = 1;
+
+	sscanf(buf, "recruit=%d", &recruits);
+	recruit_subproxies(proxi, recruits);
+}
+
 static void *proxy_reconnect(void *arg)
 {
 	proxy_instance_t *proxy = (proxy_instance_t *)arg;