diff --git a/lib/check-update.js b/lib/check-update.js
index 9d5eec3..ecdba9b 100644
--- a/lib/check-update.js
+++ b/lib/check-update.js
@@ -3,12 +3,24 @@ import pkg from '../../package'; // relative to `build/` :\
 import fetch from 'node-fetch';
 import chalk from 'chalk';
 
+const isTTY = process.stdout.isTTY;
+
+// if we're not in a tty the update checker
+// will always return a resolved promise
+const resolvedPromise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => resolve());
+
 /**
  * Configures auto updates.
  * Sets up a `exit` listener to report them.
  */
 
 export default function checkUpdate (opts = {}) {
+  if (!isTTY) {
+    // don't attempt to check for updates
+    // if the user is piping or redirecting
+    return resolvedPromise;
+  }
+
   let updateData;
 
   const update = check(opts).then((data) => {