diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index 6b95788..96292d2 100755
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -47,7 +47,9 @@
 
 nvm_has_colors() {
   local NVM_COLORS
-  NVM_COLORS="$(tput -T "${TERM:-vt100}" colors)"
+  if nvm_has tput; then
+    NVM_COLORS="$(tput -T "${TERM:-vt100}" colors)"
+  fi
   [ "${NVM_COLORS:--1}" -ge 8 ]
 }