diff --git a/utils.h b/utils.h
index 69b323f..5846ffd 100644
--- a/utils.h
+++ b/utils.h
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ char * welcome_message(void * ptr){ //cross compatible
     if(!ptr){//if fp is NULL
       return "><Welcome to the Student Union POS system><\n";
     }
-    if(strlen(ptr)){// if ptr a string or file
+    if(((FILE*)ptr)!=stdout){// if ptr a string or stdout
       sprintf(ptr,"><Welcome to the Student Union POS system><\n");//welcome message
     }else{
       fprintf(ptr,"><Welcome to the Student Union POS system><\n");//welcome message