diff --git a/bin/prompt-themes.sh b/bin/prompt-themes.sh
index ff0ba91..d933337 100755
--- a/bin/prompt-themes.sh
+++ b/bin/prompt-themes.sh
@@ -80,7 +80,12 @@ else
 fi
 
 # ensure ls uses color
-echo "[prompt-themes] ⚙️  Applied: alias ls='ls --color=auto'"
-alias ls='ls --color=auto'
+# put this inside a conditional to only use it when being run in an interactive shell
+# otherwise it will interfere with things trying to use the shell. ie scp, rsync,
+# scripts...now safe to use inside .bashrc
+if [[ $- == *i* ]]; then
+  echo "[prompt-themes] ⚙️  Applied: alias ls='ls --color=auto'"
+  alias ls='ls --color=auto'
+fi