diff --git a/spec/acceptance/ini_subsetting_spec.rb b/spec/acceptance/ini_subsetting_spec.rb
index 302f37a4..297ce4c7 100644
--- a/spec/acceptance/ini_subsetting_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/acceptance/ini_subsetting_spec.rb
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
     MANIFEST
 
     it 'applies the manifest twice' do
-      run_shell("echo -e [one]\\\\nkey = alphabet betatrons > #{basedir}/ini_subsetting.ini", expect_failures: true)
+      run_shell("printf \"[one]\\nkey = alphabet betatrons\\n\" > #{basedir}/ini_subsetting.ini", expect_failures: true)
       expect { idempotent_apply(pp) }.not_to raise_error
     end