diff --git a/src/weston-launch.c b/src/weston-launch.c
index 5b030945..7264f7e2 100644
--- a/src/weston-launch.c
+++ b/src/weston-launch.c
@@ -515,7 +515,8 @@ setup_session(struct weston_launch *wl)
 
 	term = getenv("TERM");
 	clearenv();
-	setenv("TERM", term, 1);
+	if (term)
+		setenv("TERM", term, 1);
 	setenv("USER", wl->pw->pw_name, 1);
 	setenv("LOGNAME", wl->pw->pw_name, 1);
 	setenv("HOME", wl->pw->pw_dir, 1);