diff --git a/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh b/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
index 2808192..0855aad 100755
--- a/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
+++ b/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ if [ -n "${SUDO_USER:-}" ] && [ "$SUDO_USER" != "root" ]; then
 fi
 
 # test sudo is working or we're root (return non-zero if not root!)
-if ! /bin/bash -c '"$SUDOCMD" echo "whee"'; then
+if ! $SUDOCMD true; then
     echo "Error: This script must be run as root or with sudo privileges." >&2
     exit 1
 fi