diff --git a/test/test_helper.bash b/test/test_helper.bash
index 78a4f28..08bcb79 100644
--- a/test/test_helper.bash
+++ b/test/test_helper.bash
@@ -74,8 +74,10 @@ assert_failure() {
 
 assert_equal() {
   if [ "$1" != "$2" ]; then
-    { echo "expected: $1"
-      echo "actual:   $2"
+    { echo "expected:"
+      echo "$1"
+      echo "actual:"
+      echo "$2"
     } | flunk
   fi
 }