diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-referral.in b/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
index 732c83dfa..fa5263685 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-referral.in
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ rm -f current-db*
 rm -f out-*
 rm -f mkey.file*
 
+> messages.log
+
 echo Creating database
 ${kadmin} \
     init \