diff --git a/src/conf/pcm/front.conf b/src/conf/pcm/front.conf
index 7aff0cbf..0edf6a69 100644
--- a/src/conf/pcm/front.conf
+++ b/src/conf/pcm/front.conf
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ pcm.!front {
 			name defaults.namehint.basic
 		}
 		description "Front speakers"
-		device $DEV
+		device_output $DEV
+		omit_noargs true
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/conf/pcm/iec958.conf b/src/conf/pcm/iec958.conf
index ac139b5e..2b084d6f 100644
--- a/src/conf/pcm/iec958.conf
+++ b/src/conf/pcm/iec958.conf
@@ -78,6 +78,6 @@ pcm.!iec958 {
 			name defaults.namehint.basic
 		}
 		description "IEC958 (S/PDIF) Digital Audio Output"
-		device $DEV
+		device_output $DEV
 	}
 }