diff --git a/tools/wineinstall b/tools/wineinstall
index 70b178ce640..ba8245dd522 100755
--- a/tools/wineinstall
+++ b/tools/wineinstall
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ echo "WINE Installer v0.74"
 echo
 
 # check for redhat 9 so we can enable --with-nptl until runtime detection is complete
-if cat /etc/redhat-release | grep Shrike &>/dev/null; then
+if [ -e /etc/redhat-release ] && grep Shrike /etc/redhat-release &>/dev/null; then
     CONFARGS="$CONFARGS --with-nptl"
 fi