diff --git a/lib/test-driver/Machine.pm b/lib/test-driver/Machine.pm
index d376bd404b97..1f7533f22f8f 100644
--- a/lib/test-driver/Machine.pm
+++ b/lib/test-driver/Machine.pm
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ sub shutdown {
     my ($self) = @_;
     return unless $self->{booted};
 
-    $self->execute("poweroff");
+    print { $self->{socket} } ("poweroff\n");
 
     $self->waitForShutdown;
 }