diff --git a/check b/check
index ecd1d39a..a2c5ba21 100755
--- a/check
+++ b/check
@@ -243,7 +243,11 @@ _prepare_test_list()
 
 	# sort the list of tests into numeric order
 	if $randomize; then
-		sorter="awk -v seed=$RANDOM -f randomize.awk"
+		if type shuf >& /dev/null; then
+			sorter="shuf"
+		else
+			sorter="awk -v seed=$RANDOM -f randomize.awk"
+		fi
 	else
 		sorter="cat"
 	fi