diff --git a/synctl b/synctl
index 111b9c181..4bd4c68b3 100755
--- a/synctl
+++ b/synctl
@@ -50,10 +50,14 @@ def pid_running(pid):
 def write(message, colour=NORMAL, stream=sys.stdout):
     # Lets check if we're writing to a TTY before colouring
     should_colour = False
-    if stream in (sys.stdout, sys.stderr):
+    try:
         should_colour = stream.isatty()
+    except AttributeError:
+        # Just in case `isatty` isn't defined on everything. The python
+        # docs are incredibly vague.
+        pass
 
-    if not should_colour or colour == NORMAL:
+    if not should_colour:
         stream.write(message + "\n")
     else:
         stream.write(colour + message + NORMAL + "\n")