diff --git a/mutt/get-passwd b/mutt/get-passwd
index 3370636..3af6284 100755
--- a/mutt/get-passwd
+++ b/mutt/get-passwd
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 #  along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 ##
 
+# set up agent connection and pinentry CLI
+export GPG_TTY="$(tty)"
 test -r ~/.gnupg/.agent && . ~/.gnupg/.agent
 
 # this will silently decrypt and retrieve the password if the agent is