diff --git a/src/testdir/test_mapping.vim b/src/testdir/test_mapping.vim
index 67a908a..5bec95a 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_mapping.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_mapping.vim
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@
   " invalid <expr> abbreviation
   abbr <expr> hte GetAbbr()
   call assert_fails('normal ihte ', 'E117:')
-  call assert_equal(' ', getline(1))
+  call assert_equal('', getline(1))
   unabbr <expr> hte
 
   close!