diff --git a/test/test-lib.sh b/test/test-lib.sh
index e1a597f7..5c56bc22 100644
--- a/test/test-lib.sh
+++ b/test/test-lib.sh
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ unset NAME
 
 test_require_emacs () {
     local ret=0
-    test_require_external_prereq emacs || ret=1
+    test_require_external_prereq ${TEST_EMACS} || ret=1
     test_require_external_prereq ${TEST_EMACSCLIENT} || ret=1
     test_require_external_prereq dtach || ret=1
     return $ret