diff --git a/t/t5604-clone-reference.sh b/t/t5604-clone-reference.sh
index 4ff21d7ccf..9ba2af0ff7 100755
--- a/t/t5604-clone-reference.sh
+++ b/t/t5604-clone-reference.sh
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ test_expect_success SYMLINKS 'clone repo with symlinked objects directory' '
 	test_must_fail git clone --local malicious clone 2>err &&
 
 	test_path_is_missing clone &&
-	grep "failed to start iterator over" err
+	test_i18ngrep "failed to start iterator over" err
 '
 
 test_done