diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 8e51344..b042be2 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -1276,7 +1276,8 @@ stty(void)
 		siz-= n + 1;
 	}
 	*q = '\0';
-	system(cmd);
+	if (system(cmd) != 0)
+	    perror("Couldn't call stty");
 }
 
 void