diff --git a/client/proxmark3.c b/client/proxmark3.c
index b10385383..7b80da0b6 100644
--- a/client/proxmark3.c
+++ b/client/proxmark3.c
@@ -306,8 +306,21 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 	pthread_mutex_init(&print_lock, NULL);
 
 #ifdef HAVE_GUI
+
+#  if _WIN32
 	InitGraphics(argc, argv, script_cmds_file, usb_present);
 	MainGraphics();
+#  else
+	// for *nix distro's,  check enviroment variable to verify a display
+	char* display = getenv("DISPLAY");
+	if (display && strlen(display) > 1) {
+		InitGraphics(argc, argv, script_cmds_file, usb_present);
+		MainGraphics();
+	} else {
+		main_loop(script_cmds_file, usb_present);
+	}
+#  endif
+	
 #else
 	main_loop(script_cmds_file, usb_present);
 #endif