diff --git a/test/units/TEST-04-JOURNAL.journal.sh b/test/units/TEST-04-JOURNAL.journal.sh
index de3b45eaee..03613b5805 100755
--- a/test/units/TEST-04-JOURNAL.journal.sh
+++ b/test/units/TEST-04-JOURNAL.journal.sh
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@ journalctl -b -t "$ID" --truncate-newline | grep -v TAIL >/dev/null
 journalctl -b -1 -b all -m >/dev/null
 
 # -b always behaves like -b0
-journalctl -q -b-1 -b0 | head -1 >/tmp/expected
-journalctl -q -b-1 -b | head -1 >/tmp/output
+journalctl -q -b-1 -b0 -n+1 >/tmp/expected
+journalctl -q -b-1 -b -n+1 >/tmp/output
 diff /tmp/expected /tmp/output
 # ... even when another option follows (both of these should fail due to -m)
-{ journalctl -ball -b0 -m 2>&1 || :; } | head -1 >/tmp/expected
-{ journalctl -ball -b  -m 2>&1 || :; } | head -1 >/tmp/output
+{ journalctl -ball -b0 -n+1 -m 2>&1 || :; } >/tmp/expected
+{ journalctl -ball -b  -n+1 -m 2>&1 || :; } >/tmp/output
 diff /tmp/expected /tmp/output
 
 # https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/13708