diff --git a/test/T070-insert.sh b/test/T070-insert.sh
index c2485bb2..43b3abcf 100755
--- a/test/T070-insert.sh
+++ b/test/T070-insert.sh
@@ -202,13 +202,15 @@ end
 run
 EOF
 test_begin_subtest "error exit when add_message returns $code"
-gdb --batch-silent --return-child-result -x index-file-$code.gdb \
-    --args notmuch insert  < $gen_msg_filename
+gdb --batch-silent --return-child-result \
+    -ex "set args insert < $gen_msg_filename" \
+    -x index-file-$code.gdb notmuch
 test_expect_equal $? 1
 
 test_begin_subtest "success exit with --keep when add_message returns $code"
-gdb --batch-silent --return-child-result -x index-file-$code.gdb \
-    --args notmuch insert --keep  < $gen_msg_filename
+gdb --batch-silent --return-child-result \
+    -ex "set args insert --keep < $gen_msg_filename" \
+    -x index-file-$code.gdb notmuch
 test_expect_equal $? 0
 done