diff --git a/test/python b/test/python
index c3aa7266..c318cc10 100755
--- a/test/python
+++ b/test/python
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ add_email_corpus
 test_begin_subtest "compare thread ids"
 test_python <<EOF
 import notmuch
-db = notmuch.Database(mode=notmuch.Database.MODE.READ_WRITE)
+db = notmuch.Database(mode=notmuch.Database.MODE.READ_ONLY)
 q_new = notmuch.Query(db, 'tag:inbox')
+q_new.set_sort(notmuch.Query.SORT.OLDEST_FIRST)
 for t in q_new.search_threads():
     print t.get_thread_id()
 EOF
-notmuch search --output=threads tag:inbox | sed s/^thread:// | sort > EXPECTED
-test_expect_equal_file <(sort OUTPUT) EXPECTED
+notmuch search --sort=oldest-first --output=threads tag:inbox | sed s/^thread:// > EXPECTED
+test_expect_equal_file OUTPUT EXPECTED
 test_done