diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/accumulo/core/util/shell/Shell.java b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/accumulo/core/util/shell/Shell.java
index 9231c78..0336a67 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/apache/accumulo/core/util/shell/Shell.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/apache/accumulo/core/util/shell/Shell.java
@@ -646,9 +646,10 @@ public class Shell extends ShellOptions {
   }
 
   public void printInfo() throws IOException {
-    reader.print("\n" + SHELL_DESCRIPTION + "\n" + "- \n" + "- version: " + Constants.VERSION + "\n" + "- instance name: "
+    writer.print("\n" + SHELL_DESCRIPTION + "\n" + "- \n" + "- version: " + Constants.VERSION + "\n" + "- instance name: "
         + connector.getInstance().getInstanceName() + "\n" + "- instance id: " + connector.getInstance().getInstanceID() + "\n" + "- \n"
         + "- type 'help' for a list of available commands\n" + "- \n");
+    writer.flush();
     reader.flush();
   }
 
@@ -676,7 +677,9 @@ public class Shell extends ShellOptions {
       }
     }
     sb.append("-\n");
-    reader.print(sb.toString());
+    writer.print(sb.toString());
+    writer.flush();
+    reader.flush();
   }
 
   public String getDefaultPrompt() {