  Three-loop counterterms for the Standard Model (SM) revealed that the matrix
of anomalous dimensions ($\gamma$) of quarks is divergent in the $d \to 4$
limit unless a carefully chosen non-Hermitian square-root of $Z$ matrix is used
in the textbook formula for $\gamma$. Here, an alternative prescription is
given, which expresses $\gamma$ and $\beta$ functions directly in terms of
counterterms (instead of $\sqrt{Z}$ and conventional `bare couplings') and
produces finite results. In the SM, this prescription $automatically$
reproduces results obtained previously by adjusting $\sqrt{Z}$.
