diff --git a/salt/modules/npm.py b/salt/modules/npm.py
index 1f88a7d801..ce975e976d 100644
--- a/salt/modules/npm.py
+++ b/salt/modules/npm.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def _check_valid_version():
     '''
     # pylint: disable=no-member
     npm_version = distutils.version.LooseVersion(
-        salt.modules.cmdmod.run('npm --version', python_shell=True))
+        salt.modules.cmdmod.run('npm --version', output_loglevel='quiet'))
     valid_version = distutils.version.LooseVersion('1.2')
     # pylint: enable=no-member
     if npm_version < valid_version: