diff --git a/roles/1-prep/templates/iiab-rpi-max-rootfs.sh b/roles/1-prep/templates/iiab-rpi-max-rootfs.sh
index aa221bcf0..6c91ac9f6 100644
--- a/roles/1-prep/templates/iiab-rpi-max-rootfs.sh
+++ b/roles/1-prep/templates/iiab-rpi-max-rootfs.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/bash -x
 
-# Resize rootfs and its partition on the rpi SD card (or external USB
+# Resize rootfs and its partition on the RPi SD card (or external USB
 # disk if possible, e.g. with Raspberry Pi OS) to maximum size.
 
 # To be used by /etc/systemd/system/iiab-rpi-root-resize.service on boot.
@@ -15,13 +15,18 @@ if [ -f /.resize-rootfs ]; then
         # just microSD cards).  IF ONLY THIS ALSO WORKED ON Ubuntu/Mint/etc !
         raspi-config --expand-rootfs
     else
-        # Assumes sd card style partition name like <device>p<partition number>
+        # 2022-02-17 PR #3121: This 2-line explanation appears stale...
+        # Assumes SD card style partition name like <device>p<partition number>
         # Only works on F22 + where resizepart command exists
 
         # Calculate root partition
-        root_part=`lsblk -aP -o NAME,MOUNTPOINT | grep  'MOUNTPOINT="/"' | awk -F\" '{ print $2 }'`
+        root_part=`lsblk -aP -o NAME,MOUNTPOINT | grep 'MOUNTPOINT="/"' | awk -F\" '{ print $2 }'`
         root_dev=${root_part:0:-2}
-        root_part_no=${root_part: (-1)}
+        # bash substring expansion: "negative offset [below, but not above]
+        # must be separated from the colon by at least one space to avoid
+        # being confused with the ‘:-’ expansion"
+        # https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Shell-Parameter-Expansion.html
+        root_part_no=${root_part: -1}
 
         # Resize partition
         growpart /dev/$root_dev $root_part_no