diff --git a/test/shaping/record-test.sh b/test/shaping/record-test.sh
index 93ebcfc99..4ab74f0f9 100755
--- a/test/shaping/record-test.sh
+++ b/test/shaping/record-test.sh
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
 dir=`mktemp -d`
 
 out=/dev/stdout
-if test "x${1:0:3}" == 'x-o='; then
-	out=${1:3}
+if test "x$1" == 'x-o'; then
+	shift
+	out=$1
 	shift
 fi
 hb_shape=$1