diff --git a/sequencer.c b/sequencer.c
index 407ee4e90fea68..6d069a890ed18c 100644
--- a/sequencer.c
+++ b/sequencer.c
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ static int do_recursive_merge(struct repository *r,
 	o.branch2 = next ? next_label : "(empty tree)";
 	if (is_rebase_i(opts))
 		o.buffer_output = 2;
-	o.show_rename_progress = 1;
+	o.show_rename_progress = isatty(2);
 
 	head_tree = parse_tree_indirect(head);
 	if (!head_tree)