diff --git a/pandas/util/clipboard.py b/pandas/util/clipboard.py
index 3008a5d606c90..65c372bf7cd5b 100644
--- a/pandas/util/clipboard.py
+++ b/pandas/util/clipboard.py
@@ -133,12 +133,12 @@ def xselGetClipboard():
     getcb = macGetClipboard
     setcb = macSetClipboard
 elif os.name == 'posix' or platform.system() == 'Linux':
-    xclipExists = os.system('which xclip') == 0
+    xclipExists = os.system('which xclip > /dev/null') == 0
     if xclipExists:
         getcb = xclipGetClipboard
         setcb = xclipSetClipboard
     else:
-        xselExists = os.system('which xsel') == 0
+        xselExists = os.system('which xsel > /dev/null') == 0
         if xselExists:
             getcb = xselGetClipboard
             setcb = xselSetClipboard