diff --git a/shell-integration/ssh/bootstrap-utils.sh b/shell-integration/ssh/bootstrap-utils.sh
index be5ced53b..68083c865 100644
--- a/shell-integration/ssh/bootstrap-utils.sh
+++ b/shell-integration/ssh/bootstrap-utils.sh
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ exec_login_shell() {
             ;;
         (*)
             # not blank
-            printf "%s" "$KITTY_SHELL_INTEGRATION" | command grep '\bno-rc\b' || exec_with_shell_integration
+            printf "%s" "$KITTY_SHELL_INTEGRATION" | command grep -q '\bno-rc\b' || exec_with_shell_integration
             # either no-rc or exec failed
             unset KITTY_SHELL_INTEGRATION
             ;;