> dig +short -x 1.2.3.4 | awk '{if ( $0 == "" ) {print "PTR_NUL" } else {print $0 } }' If you run the dig command without the pipe, it should give you an idea of why what you're trying is not working. > dig +short -x 1.2.3.4 | wc 0 0 0 Josh