diff --git a/guix/scripts/shell.scm b/guix/scripts/shell.scm
index 898c355316..10ea110fee 100644
--- a/guix/scripts/shell.scm
+++ b/guix/scripts/shell.scm
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ interactive shell in that environment.\n"))
     (append
         (list (option '(#\h "help") #f #f
                       (lambda args
-                        (show-help)
+                        (leave-on-EPIPE (show-help))
                         (exit 0)))
               (option '(#\V "version") #f #f
                       (lambda args