diff --git a/tests/shell/Makefile b/tests/shell/Makefile
index c92e1bd575..e463970ae0 100644
--- a/tests/shell/Makefile
+++ b/tests/shell/Makefile
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ USEMODULE += shell
 USEMODULE += shell_commands
 USEMODULE += ps
 
+# Use a terminal that does not introduce extra characters into the stream.
+RIOT_TERMINAL ?= socat
+
 DISABLE_MODULE += auto_init
 
 # chronos is missing a getchar implementation