diff --git a/git-am.sh b/git-am.sh
index b48096ec20..2c517ede59 100755
--- a/git-am.sh
+++ b/git-am.sh
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ do
 	else
 	    action=yes
 	fi
-	FIRSTLINE=$(head -1 "$dotest/final-commit")
+	FIRSTLINE=$(sed 1q "$dotest/final-commit")
 
 	if test $action = skip
 	then