diff --git a/acme.sh b/acme.sh
index 09cc9fd4..70033523 100755
--- a/acme.sh
+++ b/acme.sh
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ if [ "$(printf '\x41')" != 'A' ]; then
 fi
 
 _ESCAPE_XARGS=""
-if [ "$(printf %s '\\x41' | xargs printf)" = 'A' ]; then
+if _exists xargs && [ "$(printf %s '\\x41' | xargs printf)" = 'A' ]; then
   _ESCAPE_XARGS=1
 fi