diff --git a/lib/grep.zsh b/lib/grep.zsh
index 93c4270b6..25345bd06 100644
--- a/lib/grep.zsh
+++ b/lib/grep.zsh
@@ -2,5 +2,11 @@
 # Color grep results
 # Examples: http://rubyurl.com/ZXv
 #
-export GREP_OPTIONS='--color=auto'
+
+# avoid VCS folders
+GREP_OPTIONS=
+for PATTERN in .cvs .git .hg .svn; do
+    GREP_OPTIONS+="--exclude-dir=$PATTERN "
+done
+export GREP_OPTIONS+='--color=auto '
 export GREP_COLOR='1;32'
\ No newline at end of file