diff --git a/shfm b/shfm
index 8c8c456..47a28c9 100755
--- a/shfm
+++ b/shfm
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ print_line() {
 }
 
 main() {
+    esc_char=$(printf '\033')
+
     # change directory to the first argument
     cd "${1:-"$PWD"}"