diff --git a/.tmux.conf b/.tmux.conf
index 4e7319c..59acae6 100644
--- a/.tmux.conf
+++ b/.tmux.conf
@@ -60,5 +60,5 @@ set-window-option -g window-status-current-fg black
 set-option -g status-right '%d %b %Y @ %k:%M'
 
 # because the new tmux is inadequate
-if-shell 'test "$(tmux -V) = "tmux 1.8"' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-8.conf"
-if-shell 'test "$(tmux -V) = "tmux 1.9"' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-9.conf"
+if-shell 'tmux -V | grep -q 1.8' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-8.conf"
+if-shell 'tmux -V | grep -q 1.9' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-9.conf"