diff --git a/t/t0021-conversion.sh b/t/t0021-conversion.sh
index da1ad3e70e..4ea534e9fa 100755
--- a/t/t0021-conversion.sh
+++ b/t/t0021-conversion.sh
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ test_description='blob conversion via gitattributes'
 
 . ./test-lib.sh
 
-TEST_ROOT="$(pwd)"
+TEST_ROOT="$PWD"
 PATH=$TEST_ROOT:$PATH
 
 write_script <<\EOF "$TEST_ROOT/rot13.sh"
diff --git a/t/t5615-alternate-env.sh b/t/t5615-alternate-env.sh
index 22d9d8178b..eec4137ca5 100755
--- a/t/t5615-alternate-env.sh
+++ b/t/t5615-alternate-env.sh
@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@ test_expect_success 'objects inaccessible without alternates' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'access alternate via absolute path' '
-	check_obj "$(pwd)/one.git/objects" <<-EOF
+	check_obj "$PWD/one.git/objects" <<-EOF
 	$one blob
 	$two missing
 	EOF
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'access multiple alternates' '
-	check_obj "$(pwd)/one.git/objects:$(pwd)/two.git/objects" <<-EOF
+	check_obj "$PWD/one.git/objects:$PWD/two.git/objects" <<-EOF
 	$one blob
 	$two blob
 	EOF