diff --git a/tests/misc/write-errors.sh b/tests/misc/write-errors.sh
index c97da3b01..965afc652 100755
--- a/tests/misc/write-errors.sh
+++ b/tests/misc/write-errors.sh
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ join all_writers built_programs > built_writers || framework_failure_
 while read writer; do
   # Enforce mem usage limits if possible
   cmd=$(printf '%s\n' "$writer" | cut -d ' ' -f1) || framework_failure_
-  base_mem=$(get_min_ulimit_v_ $cmd --version) \
+  base_mem=$(get_min_ulimit_v_ $SHELL -c "$cmd --version") \
     && ulimit="ulimit -v $(($base_mem+12000))" \
     || skip_ 'unable to determine ulimit -v'