diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index b89943e2..5a3e3ef6 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ Changes in version 1.4.0:
 * Allow gaps in PDO mapping read from CoE.
 * Fixed bug in CoE code.
 * Improved handling of large EEPROM contents.
+* Renamed ec_master module parameters main and backup to main_devices and
+  backup_devices to avoid warnings of some compilers.
+* Added MODPROBE_FLAGS variable in start script and sysconfig file.
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/script/init.d/ethercat b/script/init.d/ethercat
index 88cf1be7..6cb752e5 100755
--- a/script/init.d/ethercat
+++ b/script/init.d/ethercat
@@ -175,7 +175,8 @@ start)
     done
 
     # load master module
-    if ! ${MODPROBE} ec_master main_devices=${DEVICES} backup_devices=${BACKUPS}; then
+    if ! ${MODPROBE} ${MODPROBE_FLAGS} ec_master \
+            main_devices=${DEVICES} backup_devices=${BACKUPS}; then
         exit_fail
     fi
 
@@ -199,8 +200,8 @@ start)
                 exit_fail
             fi
         fi
-        if ! ${MODPROBE} ${ECMODULE}; then
-            ${MODPROBE} ${MODULE} # try to restore module
+        if ! ${MODPROBE} ${MODPROBE_FLAGS} ${ECMODULE}; then
+            ${MODPROBE} ${MODPROBE_FLAGS} ${MODULE} # try to restore module
             exit_fail
         fi
     done
@@ -229,7 +230,7 @@ stop)
 
     # reload previous modules
     for MODULE in ${DEVICE_MODULES}; do
-        if ! ${MODPROBE} ${MODULE}; then
+        if ! ${MODPROBE} ${MODPROBE_FLAGS} ${MODULE}; then
             echo Warning: Failed to restore ${MODULE}.
         fi
     done
diff --git a/script/sysconfig/ethercat b/script/sysconfig/ethercat
index 2ab96292..f4656c5c 100644
--- a/script/sysconfig/ethercat
+++ b/script/sysconfig/ethercat
@@ -46,4 +46,12 @@ MASTER0_BACKUP=""
 # 
 DEVICE_MODULES=""
 
+#
+# Flags for loading kernel modules.
+#
+# This can usually be left empty. Adjust this variable, if you have problems
+# with module loading.
+# 
+#MODPROBE_FLAGS="-b"
+
 #------------------------------------------------------------------------------