diff --git a/salt/_modules/needs_restarting.py b/salt/_modules/needs_restarting.py
index 51f80670a..49f82bbf2 100644
--- a/salt/_modules/needs_restarting.py
+++ b/salt/_modules/needs_restarting.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import subprocess
 def check():
 
   os = __grains__['os']
-  cmd = 'needs-restarting -r > /dev/null 2>&1'
 
   if os == 'Ubuntu':
     if path.exists('/var/run/reboot-required'):
@@ -13,6 +12,7 @@ def check():
       retval = 'False'
 
   elif os == 'CentOS':
+    cmd = 'needs-restarting -r > /dev/null 2>&1'
     try:
       needs_restarting = subprocess.check_call(cmd.split(), shell=True)
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError: