diff --git a/mailman_sync.py b/mailman_sync.py
index d103f56..7a52d59 100755
--- a/mailman_sync.py
+++ b/mailman_sync.py
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ class ListManager:
     ):
         config_changes = "\n".join(
             [
-                "real_name = " + repr(real_name),
+                # have to modify mlist directly to allow removing suffix
+                "mlist.real_name = " + repr(real_name),
                 "moderator = " + repr(moderator),
                 "subject_prefix = " + repr(subject_prefix),
                 "from_is_list = 1",