diff --git a/t/t5402-post-merge-hook.sh b/t/t5402-post-merge-hook.sh
index c77aa56421..1e222ac28f 100755
--- a/t/t5402-post-merge-hook.sh
+++ b/t/t5402-post-merge-hook.sh
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ test_expect_success 'setup clone hooks' '
 
 test_expect_success 'post-merge does not run for up-to-date ' '
 	GIT_DIR=clone1/.git git merge $commit0 &&
-	! test -f clone1/.git/post-merge.args
+	test_path_is_missing clone1/.git/post-merge.args
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'post-merge runs as expected ' '
 	GIT_DIR=clone1/.git git merge $commit1 &&
-	test -e clone1/.git/post-merge.args
+	test_path_exists clone1/.git/post-merge.args
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'post-merge from normal merge receives the right argument ' '
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ test_expect_success 'post-merge from normal merge receives the right argument '
 
 test_expect_success 'post-merge from squash merge runs as expected ' '
 	GIT_DIR=clone2/.git git merge --squash $commit1 &&
-	test -e clone2/.git/post-merge.args
+	test_path_exists clone2/.git/post-merge.args
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'post-merge from squash merge receives the right argument ' '