diff --git a/tests/test_util.fish b/tests/test_util.fish
index c49a9a38e..5d6ce8840 100644
--- a/tests/test_util.fish
+++ b/tests/test_util.fish
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ end
 
 # lame timer
 for program in {g,}date
-    if $program --version 1>/dev/null 2>/dev/null
+    if command -q $program && $program --version 1>/dev/null 2>/dev/null
         set milli $program
         set unit ms
         break