diff --git a/t/t6013-rev-list-reverse-parents.sh b/t/t6013-rev-list-reverse-parents.sh
index d294466427b..59fc2f06e0b 100755
--- a/t/t6013-rev-list-reverse-parents.sh
+++ b/t/t6013-rev-list-reverse-parents.sh
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ test_expect_success 'set up --reverse example' '
 
 test_expect_success '--reverse --parents --full-history combines correctly' '
 	git rev-list --parents --full-history master -- foo |
-		tac > expected &&
+		perl -e "print reverse <>" > expected &&
 	git rev-list --reverse --parents --full-history master -- foo \
 		> actual &&
 	test_cmp actual expected
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ test_expect_success '--reverse --parents --full-history combines correctly' '
 
 test_expect_success '--boundary does too' '
 	git rev-list --boundary --parents --full-history master ^root -- foo |
-		tac > expected &&
+		perl -e "print reverse <>" > expected &&
 	git rev-list --boundary --reverse --parents --full-history \
 		master ^root -- foo > actual &&
 	test_cmp actual expected