diff --git a/ble-core.sh b/ble-core.sh
index 4772e518..4a8452e5 100644
--- a/ble-core.sh
+++ b/ble-core.sh
@@ -542,10 +542,10 @@ function ble/util/assign/.rmtmp {
   if ((BASH_SUBSHELL)); then
     printf 'caller %s\n' "${FUNCNAME[@]}" >| "$_ble_local_tmpfile"
   else
-    : >| "$_ble_local_tmpfile"
+    builtin : >| "$_ble_local_tmpfile"
   fi
 #%else
-  : >| "$_ble_local_tmpfile"
+  builtin : >| "$_ble_local_tmpfile"
 #%end
 }
 if ((_ble_bash>=40000)); then