diff --git a/git-am.sh b/git-am.sh
index 455ce4fca0..f4061e11ea 100755
--- a/git-am.sh
+++ b/git-am.sh
@@ -188,7 +188,9 @@ It does not apply to blobs recorded in its index.")"
 }
 
 clean_abort () {
-	test $# = 0 || echo >&2 "$@"
+	test $# = 0 || cat >&2 <<EOF
+$@
+EOF
 	rm -fr "$dotest"
 	exit 1
 }