diff --git a/tests/test-unionrepo.t b/tests/test-unionrepo.t
--- a/tests/test-unionrepo.t
+++ b/tests/test-unionrepo.t
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ Create one repository
   $ cd repo2
   $ touch repo2-1
   $ sed '1i\
-  > repo2-1 at top' f > f.tmp
+  > repo2-1 at top
+  > ' f > f.tmp
   $ mv f.tmp f
   $ hg ci -Aqmrepo2-1
   $ touch repo2-2