diff --git a/tests/unittests.cfg b/tests/unittests.cfg
index 7ba7936..1402890 100644
--- a/tests/unittests.cfg
+++ b/tests/unittests.cfg
@@ -353,13 +353,13 @@ dxmorg@florida.cops.gov
 </test>
 
 <test check-if-catch-empty-input>
-  prepare = echo -n > testfile-empty
+  prepare = touch testfile-empty
   cmd = $pcp -V $vault -P -I testfile-empty
   expect = /file is empty/
 </test>
 
 <test check-if-catch-missing-newlines>
-  prepare = ./jot 5000 | while read ignore; do echo -n X; done > testfile-toolong
+  prepare = perl -e 'print "X" x 5000; print "\n"' > testfile-toolong
   cmd = $pcp -V $vault -P -I testfile-toolong
   expect = /line is too long/
 </test>