diff --git a/lib/benchpark/cmd/system.py b/lib/benchpark/cmd/system.py
index 57fb2d802..9c7e9e600 100644
--- a/lib/benchpark/cmd/system.py
+++ b/lib/benchpark/cmd/system.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def system_init(args):
 
     if args.basedir:
         base = args.basedir
-        sysdir = system.system_id()
+        sysdir = system.system_uid()
         destdir = os.path.join(base, sysdir)
     elif args.dest:
         destdir = args.dest
diff --git a/lib/benchpark/system.py b/lib/benchpark/system.py
index 527348bad..8fb3e5abd 100644
--- a/lib/benchpark/system.py
+++ b/lib/benchpark/system.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def generate_description(self, output_dir):
         self.external_packages(output_dir)
         self.compiler_description(output_dir)
 
-        spec_hash = _hash_id([str(self.spec)])
+        spec_hash = self.system_uid()
 
         system_id_path = output_dir / "system_id.yaml"
         with open(system_id_path, "w") as f:
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ def generate_description(self, output_dir):
 """
             )
 
-    def system_id(self):
-        return _hash_id([self.variables_yaml()])
+    def system_uid(self):
+        return _hash_id([str(self.spec)])
 
     def _merge_config_files(self, schema, selections, dst_path):
         data = cfg.read_config_file(selections[0], schema)