diff --git a/t/t6407-merge-binary.sh b/t/t6407-merge-binary.sh
index 8e6241f92e..0753fc95f4 100755
--- a/t/t6407-merge-binary.sh
+++ b/t/t6407-merge-binary.sh
@@ -43,14 +43,9 @@ test_expect_success resolve '
 	rm -f a* m* &&
 	git reset --hard anchor &&
 
-	if git merge -s resolve main
-	then
-		echo Oops, should not have succeeded
-		false
-	else
-		git ls-files -s >current &&
-		test_cmp expect current
-	fi
+	test_must_fail git merge -s resolve main &&
+	git ls-files -s >current &&
+	test_cmp expect current
 '
 
 test_expect_success recursive '
@@ -58,14 +53,9 @@ test_expect_success recursive '
 	rm -f a* m* &&
 	git reset --hard anchor &&
 
-	if git merge -s recursive main
-	then
-		echo Oops, should not have succeeded
-		false
-	else
-		git ls-files -s >current &&
-		test_cmp expect current
-	fi
+	test_must_fail git merge -s recursive main &&
+	git ls-files -s >current &&
+	test_cmp expect current
 '
 
 test_done