diff --git a/util/build-gnu.sh b/util/build-gnu.sh
index bd14348b1..e1388570a 100755
--- a/util/build-gnu.sh
+++ b/util/build-gnu.sh
@@ -39,24 +39,8 @@ path_GNU="$("${READLINK}" -fm -- "${path_GNU:-${path_UUTILS}/../gnu}")"
 
 ###
 
-# On MacOS there is no system /usr/bin/timeout
-# and trying to add it to /usr/bin (with symlink of copy binary) will fail unless system integrity protection is disabled (not ideal)
-# ref: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102149
-# On MacOS the Homebrew coreutils could be installed and then "sudo ln -s /opt/homebrew/bin/timeout /usr/local/bin/timeout"
-# Set to /usr/local/bin/timeout instead if /usr/bin/timeout is not found
-SYSTEM_TIMEOUT="timeout"
-if [ -x /usr/bin/timeout ]; then
-    SYSTEM_TIMEOUT="/usr/bin/timeout"
-elif [ -x /usr/local/bin/timeout ]; then
-    SYSTEM_TIMEOUT="/usr/local/bin/timeout"
-fi
-
-SYSTEM_YES="yes"
-if [ -x /usr/bin/yes ]; then
-    SYSTEM_YES="/usr/bin/yes"
-elif [ -x /usr/local/bin/yes ]; then
-    SYSTEM_YES="/usr/local/bin/yes"
-fi
+SYSTEM_TIMEOUT=$(command -v timeout)
+SYSTEM_YES=$(command -v yes)
 
 ###