diff --git a/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh b/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
index 6e6ec852b5..1180c3254c 100755
--- a/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
+++ b/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
@@ -1584,7 +1584,8 @@ test_expect_success GPGSSH 'setup for signature atom using ssh' '
 	test_config user.signingkey "${GPGSSH_KEY_PRIMARY}" &&
 	echo "8" >file &&
 	test_tick &&
-	git commit -a -S -m "file: 8" &&
+	git add file &&
+	git commit -S -m "file: 8" &&
 	git tag eighth-signed-ssh
 '