1 files changed, 8 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/coreutils/printf.c b/coreutils/printf.c
index 76524f706..b0a48cda4 100644
--- a/coreutils/printf.c
+++ b/coreutils/printf.c
@@ -359,8 +359,15 @@ int printf_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
          * We will mimic coreutils. */
         if (argv[1] && argv[1][0] == '-' && argv[1][1] == '-' && !argv[1][2])
                 argv++;
-        if (!argv[1])
+        if (!argv[1]) {
+                if (ENABLE_ASH_BUILTIN_PRINTF
+                 && applet_name[0] != 'p'
+                ) {
+                        bb_error_msg("usage: printf FORMAT [ARGUMENT...]");
+                        return 2; /* bash compat */
+                }
                 bb_show_usage();
+        }
 
         format = argv[1];
         argv2 = argv + 2;