diff --git a/tests/test-abort-checkin b/tests/test-abort-checkin
--- a/tests/test-abort-checkin
+++ b/tests/test-abort-checkin
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@
 HGRCPATH=$HGTMP/.hgrc; export HGRCPATH
 echo "[extensions]" >> $HGTMP/.hgrc
 echo "mq=" >> $HGTMP/.hgrc
+cat > $HGTMP/false <<EOF
+#!/bin/sh
+exit 1
+EOF
+chmod +x $HGTMP/false
 
 hg init foo
 cd foo
@@ -11,7 +16,7 @@ hg add foo
 
 # mq may keep a reference to the repository so __del__ will not be called
 # and .hg/journal.dirstate will not be deleted:
-HGEDITOR=false hg ci
-HGEDITOR=false hg ci
+HGEDITOR=$HGTMP/false hg ci
+HGEDITOR=$HGTMP/false hg ci
 
 exit 0