diff --git a/merge-index.c b/merge-index.c
index a9983dd78a..7027d78659 100644
--- a/merge-index.c
+++ b/merge-index.c
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ static int merge_entry(int pos, const char *path)
 			break;
 		found++;
 		strcpy(hexbuf[stage], sha1_to_hex(ce->sha1));
-		sprintf(ownbuf[stage], "%o", ntohl(ce->ce_mode) & (~S_IFMT));
+		sprintf(ownbuf[stage], "%o", ntohl(ce->ce_mode));
 		arguments[stage] = hexbuf[stage];
 		arguments[stage + 4] = ownbuf[stage];
 	} while (++pos < active_nr);