diff --git a/src/node.js b/src/node.js
index 02aee1708c4f..197d2aac9a89 100644
--- a/src/node.js
+++ b/src/node.js
@@ -142,7 +142,8 @@
           useGlobal: true,
           ignoreUndefined: false
         };
-        if (parseInt(process.env['NODE_NO_READLINE'], 10)) {
+        if (parseInt(process.env['NODE_NO_READLINE'], 10) ||
+            process.env['TERM'] === 'dumb') {
           opts.terminal = false;
         }
         if (parseInt(process.env['NODE_DISABLE_COLORS'], 10)) {