diff --git a/utils/githooks/pre-commit.d/71-flake.sh b/utils/githooks/pre-commit.d/71-flake.sh
index a41f28af5c2..082e0f863d8 100755
--- a/utils/githooks/pre-commit.d/71-flake.sh
+++ b/utils/githooks/pre-commit.d/71-flake.sh
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ else
     rc=0
 
     # non-scons
-    if ! echo "$py_files" | grep -vi scons | xargs flake8 --config .flake8; then
+    if ! echo "$py_files" | grep -vi scons | xargs -r flake8 --config .flake8; then
         rc=1
     fi
 
     # scons
-    if ! echo "$py_files" | grep -i scons | xargs flake8 --config .flake8-scons; then
+    if ! echo "$py_files" | grep -i scons | xargs -r flake8 --config .flake8-scons; then
         rc=1;
     fi