1 files changed, 4 insertions, 1 deletions
diff --git a/lib/internal/repl.js b/lib/internal/repl.js
index b2c74e179c..c1beb85cef 100644
--- a/lib/internal/repl.js
+++ b/lib/internal/repl.js
@@ -34,7 +34,10 @@ function createRepl(env, opts, cb) {
   if (parseInt(env.NODE_NO_READLINE)) {
     opts.terminal = false;
   }
-  if (parseInt(env.NODE_DISABLE_COLORS)) {
+  // the "dumb" special terminal, as defined by terminfo, doesn't support
+  // ANSI colour control codes.
+  // see http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/terminfo.ti.html#toc-_Specials
+  if (parseInt(env.NODE_DISABLE_COLORS) || env.TERM === 'dumb') {
     opts.useColors = false;
   }