diff --git a/standalone/linux/runshell b/standalone/linux/runshell
index 816c3036e1..e3d75d7a06 100755
--- a/standalone/linux/runshell
+++ b/standalone/linux/runshell
@@ -67,5 +67,5 @@ if [ "$1" ]; then
 	shift 1
 	exec "$cmd" "$@"
 else
-	$SHELL
+	sh
 fi
diff --git a/standalone/osx/git-annex.app/Contents/MacOS/runshell b/standalone/osx/git-annex.app/Contents/MacOS/runshell
index 51748285a9..ade1dd3f6a 100755
--- a/standalone/osx/git-annex.app/Contents/MacOS/runshell
+++ b/standalone/osx/git-annex.app/Contents/MacOS/runshell
@@ -74,5 +74,5 @@ if [ "$1" ]; then
 	shift 1
 	exec "$cmd" "$@"
 else
-	$SHELL
+	sh
 fi