diff --git a/test/zdtm/static/dumpable02.c b/test/zdtm/static/dumpable02.c
index 3463deda7..bd632e13e 100644
--- a/test/zdtm/static/dumpable02.c
+++ b/test/zdtm/static/dumpable02.c
@@ -36,11 +36,12 @@ int get_dumpable_from_pipes(int pipe_input, int pipe_output) {
 	/* input and output are from the child's point of view. */
 
 	write(pipe_input, "GET\n", 4);
-	len = read(pipe_output, buf, sizeof(buf));
+	len = read(pipe_output, buf, sizeof(buf) - 1);
 	if (len < 0) {
 		pr_perror("error in parent reading from pipe");
 		return -1;
 	}
+	buf[len] = 0;
 
 	if (memcmp(buf, "DUMPABLE:", 9) != 0) {
 		pr_perror("child returned [%s]", buf);