diff --git a/test/sharness/t0024-datastore-config.sh b/test/sharness/t0024-datastore-config.sh
index 3811dbf36..02adde734 100755
--- a/test/sharness/t0024-datastore-config.sh
+++ b/test/sharness/t0024-datastore-config.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ test_init_ipfs
 test_launch_ipfs_daemon
 test_kill_ipfs_daemon
 
-SPEC_ORIG=$(cat <<EOF)
+SPEC_ORIG=$(cat <<'EOF')
 {
   "mounts": [
     {