diff --git a/tmux.conf b/tmux.conf
index bef97fd..ac7c91f 100644
--- a/tmux.conf
+++ b/tmux.conf
@@ -64,6 +64,5 @@ 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 '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"
-if-shell 'tmux -V | grep -q 2.0' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-9.conf"
+source-file ~/.tmux.1-8.conf # always source the 1.8 file
+if-shell 'tmux -V | grep -q "1.9\|2.0"' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-9.conf"