diff --git a/src/spec b/src/spec
index 7449a9f..1946b6a 100644
--- a/src/spec
+++ b/src/spec
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ _handle-to()
   # shift argument allows the implementation to vary without breaking BC so
   # long as the meaning of the shifted arguments do not change
   $assert "$__spec_rexit" $__SHIFTN "$__spec_errpath" "$@" \
-      <<< "$__spec_result"
+    < <( echo -n "$__spec_result" )
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/test-spec b/test/test-spec
index 8873f8f..b0bf626 100644
--- a/test/test-spec
+++ b/test/test-spec
@@ -193,6 +193,21 @@ describe expect
         end
       '; to succeed
     end
+
+    # that is, if we use <<< to provide premise output from memory, a
+    # newline will be added; we don't want that!
+    it does not have newline added to premise output if missing
+      expect test-run <<< '
+        _expect--chk() { test "$( wc -c )" -eq 0; }
+
+        describe foo
+          it should not add newline
+            expect true
+              to chk
+          end
+        end
+      '; to succeed
+    end
   end