diff --git a/git-bisect.sh b/git-bisect.sh
index c21e33c8d..415a8d04c 100755
--- a/git-bisect.sh
+++ b/git-bisect.sh
@@ -288,10 +288,12 @@ bisect_visualize() {
 
 	if test $# = 0
 	then
-		case "${DISPLAY+set}${SESSIONNAME+set}${MSYSTEM+set}${SECURITYSESSIONID+set}" in
-		'')	set git log ;;
-		set*)	set gitk ;;
-		esac
+		if test -n "${DISPLAY+set}${SESSIONNAME+set}${MSYSTEM+set}${SECURITYSESSIONID+set}" &&
+		   type gitk >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+			set gitk
+		else
+			set git log
+		fi
 	else
 		case "$1" in
 		git*|tig) ;;