diff --git a/param/version.py b/param/version.py
index 9884491e..ed863740 100644
--- a/param/version.py
+++ b/param/version.py
@@ -21,10 +21,13 @@
 import os, subprocess, json
 
 def run_cmd(args, cwd=None):
+    kwargs = {}
+    if os.name == 'nt':
+        kwargs['creationflags'] = subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW
     proc = subprocess.Popen(args, stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
                             stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
                             cwd=cwd,
-                            creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
+                            **kwargs)
     output, error = (str(s.decode()).strip() for s in proc.communicate())
 
     # Detects errors as _either_ a non-zero return code _or_ messages
diff --git a/tests/testversion.py b/tests/testversion.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1a71f673
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testversion.py
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+from param.version import run_cmd
+
+
+def test_run_cmd():
+    output = run_cmd(['echo', 'test'])
+    assert output == 'test'