diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/git/pack.c b/sys/src/cmd/git/pack.c
index ebc701338..5ec7a1b75 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/git/pack.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/git/pack.c
@@ -1492,7 +1492,8 @@ pickdeltas(Meta **meta, int nmeta)
 	}
 	for(i = max(0, nmeta - 10); i < nmeta; i++)
 		dtclear(&meta[i]->dtab);
-	fprint(2, "\b\b\b\b100%%\n");
+	if(interactive)
+		fprint(2, "\b\b\b\b100%%\n");
 }
 
 static int