diff --git a/tests/common b/tests/common
index 1c098e8e..eb525a4d 100644
--- a/tests/common
+++ b/tests/common
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ _is_file_or_command()
 	if [ -f "$msg" -o -d "$msg" -o -b "$msg" ]; then
 		return 0
 	fi
-	msg=$(type -p "$msg")
+	msg=$(type -p -- "$msg")
 	if [ -f "$msg" ]; then
 		return 0
 	fi