diff --git a/contrib/examples/git-am.sh b/contrib/examples/git-am.sh
index ac2a98e914..dd539f1a8a 100755
--- a/contrib/examples/git-am.sh
+++ b/contrib/examples/git-am.sh
@@ -188,9 +188,7 @@ It does not apply to blobs recorded in its index.")"
 }
 
 clean_abort () {
-	test $# = 0 || cat >&2 <<EOF
-$@
-EOF
+	test $# = 0 || echo >&2 "$@"
 	rm -fr "$dotest"
 	exit 1
 }