diff --git a/check_modules.sh b/check_modules.sh
index 5d34127..09d2536 100755
--- a/check_modules.sh
+++ b/check_modules.sh
@@ -32,11 +32,14 @@ do
         ;;
     esac
 done
-# definitions for esear color output to display
-Color_Off='\e[0m'       # Text Reset
-IGreen='\e[0;92m'       # Intense Green
-IRed='\e[0;91m'         # Intense Red
-IMagenta='\e[0;95m'     # magenta
+
+# definitions for color output if outputting to tty
+if [ -t 1 ] ; then
+    Color_Off='\e[0m'       # Text Reset
+    IGreen='\e[0;92m'       # Intense Green
+    IRed='\e[0;91m'         # Intense Red
+    IMagenta='\e[0;95m'     # magenta
+fi
 
 # intermediate files, logfiles
 LOGDIR=${LOGDIR:=$PWD}