diff --git a/autoload/ref.vim b/autoload/ref.vim
index a3895fc..5e31c18 100644
--- a/autoload/ref.vim
+++ b/autoload/ref.vim
@@ -380,7 +380,11 @@ function! ref#system(args, ...)
   endif
   let save_shellredir = &shellredir
   let stderr_file = tempname()
-  let &shellredir = '>%s 2>' . shellescape(stderr_file)
+  if (v:version == 703 && has('patchXXX')) || v:version > 703
+    let cmd .= ' 2>' . shellescape(stderr_file)
+  else
+   let &shellredir = '>%s 2>' . shellescape(stderr_file)
+  endif
   let stdout = ''
   try
     let stdout = a:0 ? system(cmd, a:1) : system(cmd)