diff --git a/sh/.config/sh/env b/sh/.config/sh/env
index fceba1b..0bebb0e 100644
--- a/sh/.config/sh/env
+++ b/sh/.config/sh/env
@@ -20,7 +20,17 @@ export LIBRARYROOT="${LIBRARYROOT:-$HOME/documents/library}"
 export BIBFILE="${BIBFILE:-$LIBRARYROOT/academia/academia.bib}"
 
 # these are my personal 'important' application settings
-export EDITOR="nvim"
+if exist nvim; then
+    export EDITOR="nvim"
+elif exist vim; then
+    export EDITOR="vim"
+elif exist vi; then
+    export EDITOR="vi"
+elif exist micro; then
+    export EDITOR="micro"
+else
+    export EDITOR="nano"
+fi
 export BROWSER="qutebrowser"
 export TERMINAL="wezterm"
 export PAGER="less"