diff --git a/lib/shell.c b/lib/shell.c
index 05e3af8be5..f8a4b7fa55 100644
--- a/lib/shell.c
+++ b/lib/shell.c
@@ -223,17 +223,17 @@ static void
 mc_shell_recognize_path (mc_shell_t *mc_shell)
 {
     /* If shell is not symlinked to busybox, it is safe to assume it is a real shell */
-    if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/bash") != NULL || getenv ("BASH") != NULL)
+    if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/bash") != NULL || getenv ("BASH_VERSION") != NULL)
     {
         mc_shell->type = SHELL_BASH;
         mc_shell->name = "bash";
     }
-    else if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/sh") != NULL || getenv ("SH") != NULL)
+    else if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/sh") != NULL)
     {
         mc_shell->type = SHELL_SH;
         mc_shell->name = "sh";
     }
-    else if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/ash") != NULL || getenv ("ASH") != NULL)
+    else if (strstr (mc_shell->path, "/ash") != NULL || getenv ("BB_ASH_VERSION") != NULL)
     {
         mc_shell->type = SHELL_ASH_BUSYBOX;
         mc_shell->name = "ash";