diff --git a/libexec/rbenv-version-file b/libexec/rbenv-version-file
index 2413834f2b..7a2b9c6e0a 100755
--- a/libexec/rbenv-version-file
+++ b/libexec/rbenv-version-file
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ set -e
 
 find_local_version_file() {
   local root="$1"
-  while [ -n "$root" ]; do
+  while true; do
     if [ -e "${root}/.ruby-version" ]; then
       echo "${root}/.ruby-version"
       exit
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ find_local_version_file() {
       echo "${root}/.rbenv-version"
       exit
     fi
+    [ -n "$root" ] || break
     root="${root%/*}"
   done
 }