diff --git a/scripts/gensync.sh.in b/scripts/gensync.sh.in
index eb1ef3a6..d5dec275 100644
--- a/scripts/gensync.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/gensync.sh.in
@@ -80,6 +80,13 @@ check_force () {
 
 # PROGRAM START
 
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 if [ "$1" = "-h" -o "$1" = "--help" ]; then
 	usage
 	exit 0
diff --git a/scripts/makepkg.sh.in b/scripts/makepkg.sh.in
index 090ba5df..ed4794f0 100644
--- a/scripts/makepkg.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/makepkg.sh.in
@@ -1107,6 +1107,15 @@ This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.\n\
 There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.\n")"
 }
 
+# PROGRAM START
+
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 ARGLIST=$@
 
 #preserve environment variables
diff --git a/scripts/pacman-optimize.sh.in b/scripts/pacman-optimize.sh.in
index 21afd276..0cd108b7 100644
--- a/scripts/pacman-optimize.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/pacman-optimize.sh.in
@@ -70,6 +70,15 @@ die_r() {
 	die "$@"
 }
 
+# PROGRAM START
+
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 if [ "$1" = "-h" -o "$1" = "--help" ]; then
 	usage
 	exit 0
diff --git a/scripts/repo-add.sh.in b/scripts/repo-add.sh.in
index efd3bc03..63d94d37 100644
--- a/scripts/repo-add.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/repo-add.sh.in
@@ -252,6 +252,13 @@ db_write_entry()
 
 # PROGRAM START
 
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 # check for help flags
 if [ "$1" = "-h" -o "$1" = "--help" ]; then
 	usage
diff --git a/scripts/repo-remove.sh.in b/scripts/repo-remove.sh.in
index fe230b02..47a0d5ae 100644
--- a/scripts/repo-remove.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/repo-remove.sh.in
@@ -95,6 +95,13 @@ db_remove_entry() {
 
 # PROGRAM START
 
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 # check for help flags
 if [ "$1" = "-h" -o "$1" = "--help" ]; then
 	usage
diff --git a/scripts/updatesync.sh.in b/scripts/updatesync.sh.in
index 58ae0d56..5f5cc6c9 100644
--- a/scripts/updatesync.sh.in
+++ b/scripts/updatesync.sh.in
@@ -79,6 +79,13 @@ check_force () {
 
 # PROGRAM START
 
+# determine whether we have gettext; make it a no-op if we do not
+if [ ! $(type -t gettext) ]; then
+	gettext() {
+		echo "$@"
+	}
+fi
+
 if [ "$1" = "-h" -o "$1" = "--help" ]; then
 	usage
 	exit 0