diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in b/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
index f18896968..dc5fc6d3e 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-kadmin.in
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ rm -f out-*
 rm -f mkey.file*
 rm -f messages.log
 
+> messages.log
+
 echo Creating database
 ${kadmin} -l \
     init \