diff --git a/plugins/autojump b/plugins/autojump
index 0b842532..dc840628 100755
--- a/plugins/autojump
+++ b/plugins/autojump
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
 # Authors: Marty Buchaus, Dave Snider, Tim Adler
 
 if [ ! -p "$NNN_PIPE" ]; then
-    echo 'ERROR: NNN_PIPE is not set' | ${PAGER:-less}
+    printf 'ERROR: NNN_PIPE is not set!'
+    read -r _
     exit 2
 fi
 
diff --git a/plugins/bookmarks b/plugins/bookmarks
index dbb8dbe0..1bb3503d 100755
--- a/plugins/bookmarks
+++ b/plugins/bookmarks
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ fi
 
 # Check if NNN_PIPE is set
 if [ -z "$NNN_PIPE" ]; then
-    echo 'ERROR: NNN_PIPE is not set' | ${PAGER:-less}
+    printf 'ERROR: NNN_PIPE is not set!'
+    read -r _
     exit 2
 fi