--- a/usr/lib/byobu/whoami
+++ b/usr/lib/byobu/whoami
@@ -19,12 +19,28 @@
 #    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 #    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+___get_user() {
+	if eval $BYOBU_TEST whoami >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		whoami
+	elif eval $BYOBU_TEST id >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		id -un
+	fi
+}
+
 __whoami_detail() {
-	getent -- passwd "$USER"
+	local user=$(___get_user)
+	[ -n "$user" ] || return
+	if eval $BYOBU_TEST getent >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		getent -- passwd "$user"
+	else
+		grep "^$user:" /etc/passwd
+	fi
 }
 
 __whoami() {
-	color bold2; printf "%s@" "$(whoami)"; color -
+	local user=$(___get_user)
+	[ -n "$user" ] || return
+	color bold2; printf "%s@" "$user"; color -
 }
 
 # vi: syntax=sh ts=4 noexpandtab