diff --git a/t/t4016-diff-quote.sh b/t/t4016-diff-quote.sh
index edde8f5568..174ea4b6f1 100755
--- a/t/t4016-diff-quote.sh
+++ b/t/t4016-diff-quote.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,13 @@ test_description='Quoting paths in diff output.
 
 . ./test-lib.sh
 
+if test "$no_symlinks"
+then
+    say 'Filenames with tabs and new-lines not supported, skipping tests.'
+    test_done
+    exit
+fi
+
 P0='pathname'
 P1='pathname	with HT'
 P2='pathname with SP'