diff --git a/fabulous/xterm256.py b/fabulous/xterm256.py
index 0350793..65ed75f 100644
--- a/fabulous/xterm256.py
+++ b/fabulous/xterm256.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def compile_speedup():
     sauce = join(dirname(__file__), '_xterm256.c')
     if not exists(library) or getmtime(sauce) > getmtime(library):
         build = "gcc -fPIC -shared -o %s %s" % (library, sauce)
-        assert os.system(build) == 0
+        assert os.system(build + " >/dev/null 2>&1") == 0
     xterm256_c = ctypes.cdll.LoadLibrary(library)
     xterm256_c.init()
     def xterm_to_rgb(xcolor):