diff --git a/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh b/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
index 5d7f0760b82..562732e7387 100644
--- a/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
+++ b/scripts/mysqld_safe.sh
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ fi
 
 cmd="`mysqld_ld_preload_text`$NOHUP_NICENESS"
 
-plugin_dir="${PLUGIN_DIR:-$MY_BASEDIR_VERSION/lib/plugin}${PLUGIN_VARIANT}"
+plugin_dir="${PLUGIN_DIR:-$MY_BASEDIR_VERSION/lib/mysql/plugin}${PLUGIN_VARIANT}"
 
 for i in  "$ledir/$MYSQLD" "$defaults" "--basedir=$MY_BASEDIR_VERSION" \
   "--datadir=$DATADIR" "--plugin-dir=$plugin_dir" "$USER_OPTION"