diff --git a/tests/test-commit-interactive-curses.t b/tests/test-commit-interactive-curses.t
--- a/tests/test-commit-interactive-curses.t
+++ b/tests/test-commit-interactive-curses.t
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
   +hello world
 
 Make file empty
-  $ echo -n > x
+  $ printf "" > x
   $ cat <<EOF >testModeCommands
   > X
   > EOF