diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 60d79d4..bd0d62a 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # rtoot 0.3.4.9000
 
 * fixed #153 by allowing POSIXct as `max_id`, `min_id` and `since_id` (#154) by @Kudusch
+# fixed #158 for VSCode and similar editors which return TRUE for `rstudio::isAvailable()` (#159)
 
 # rtoot 0.3.4
 
diff --git a/R/utils.R b/R/utils.R
index 575397a..dabb06d 100644
--- a/R/utils.R
+++ b/R/utils.R
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ rtoot_ask <- function(prompt = "enter authorization code: ", pass = TRUE, check_
     }
     passFun <- readline
     if (isTRUE(pass) && isTRUE(check_rstudio) && (requireNamespace("rstudioapi", quietly = TRUE))) {
-        if (rstudioapi::isAvailable()) {
+        if (rstudioapi::isAvailable() && rstudioapi::hasFun("askForPassword")) {
             passFun <- rstudioapi::askForPassword
         }
     }