diff --git a/salt/common/tools/sbin/soup b/salt/common/tools/sbin/soup
index 6d282e78c..e41e80afe 100755
--- a/salt/common/tools/sbin/soup
+++ b/salt/common/tools/sbin/soup
@@ -165,9 +165,9 @@ check_os_updates() {
   # Check to see if there are OS updates
   NEEDUPDATES="We have detected missing operating system (OS) updates. Do you want to install these OS updates now? This could take a while depending on the size of your grid and how many packages are missing, but it is recommended to keep your system updated."
   if [[ $OS == 'ubuntu' ]]; then
-    OSUPDATES=$(apt list --upgradeable)
+    OSUPDATES=$(apt list --upgradeable | wc -l)
   else
-    OSUPDATES=$(yum -q list updates)
+    OSUPDATES=$(yum -q list updates | wc -l)
   fi
   if [[ "$OSUPDATES" > 1 ]]; then
       echo $NEEDUPDATES