diff --git a/src/etc/cat-and-grep.sh b/src/etc/cat-and-grep.sh
index ef9884d2e980d..361e8d8e60eed 100755
--- a/src/etc/cat-and-grep.sh
+++ b/src/etc/cat-and-grep.sh
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ done
 
 shift $((OPTIND - 1))
 
+# use gnu version of tool if available (for bsd)
+if command -v "g${GREPPER}"; then
+    GREPPER="g${GREPPER}"
+fi
+
 LOG=$(mktemp -t cgrep.XXXXXX)
 trap "rm -f $LOG" EXIT