diff --git a/kitty/cli.py b/kitty/cli.py
index d274e0a15..200b7a8e9 100644
--- a/kitty/cli.py
+++ b/kitty/cli.py
@@ -245,7 +245,10 @@ def wrap(text, limit=80):
 
 def print_help_for_seq(seq):
     from kitty.icat import screen_size
-    linesz = min(screen_size().cols, 76)
+    try:
+        linesz = min(screen_size().cols, 76)
+    except EnvironmentError:
+        linesz = 76
     blocks = []
     a = blocks.append