diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 09bfa9094..5f4774639 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -9621,7 +9621,7 @@ echo "" >> $OPTION_FILE
 # note: cut requires an argument to exit with success.
 if colrm >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null; then
     TRIM="colrm 3"
-elif cut --version >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null; then
+elif echo "" | cut -c1 >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null; then
     TRIM="cut -c1-2"
 else
     AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not find colrm or cut to make options file])