diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalProcess.js b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalProcess.js
index 21c47a26878..5b383f8f17b 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalProcess.js
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalProcess.js
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ var name;
 if (os.platform() === 'win32') {
 	name = path.basename(process.env.PTYSHELL);
 } else {
-	name = fs.existsSync('/usr/share/terminfo/x/xterm-256color') ? 'xterm-256color' : 'xterm';
+	// Using 'xterm-256color' here helps ensure that the majority of Linux distributions will use a
+	// color prompt as defined in the default ~/.bashrc file.
+	name = 'xterm-256color';
 }
 var shell = process.env.PTYSHELL;
 var args = getArgs();