diff --git a/debian/tests/spec b/debian/tests/spec
index 47edc0299d..a5d5e23443 100755
--- a/debian/tests/spec
+++ b/debian/tests/spec
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ exec 2>&1
 set -ex
 
 cd /usr/share/gitlab
-sudo truncate -s 0 Gemfile.lock
+su gitlab -c 'truncate -s 0 Gemfile.lock'
 if ! grep factory_girl_rails Gemfile >/dev/null; then
   cp Gemfile ${ADTTMP}
   cat <<EOF >> ${ADTTMP}/Gemfile
@@ -29,12 +29,12 @@ gem 'email_spec', '~> 1.6'
 gem 'ffaker', '~> 2.0'
 gem 'json-schema', '~> 2.6', '>= 2.6.2'
 EOF
-  sudo cp ${ADTTMP}/Gemfile .
+  su gitlab -c "cp ${ADTTMP}/Gemfile ."
 fi
 
 export $(cat /etc/gitlab/gitlab-debian.conf)
-sudo -u gitlab -E -H bundle install --local
-sudo -u gitlab -E -H bundle exec rspec spec/uploaders spec/routing spec/views \
-spec/factories_spec.rb spec/finders
+su gitlab -c "bundle install --local"
+su gitlab -c "bundle exec rspec spec/uploaders spec/routing spec/views \
+spec/factories_spec.rb spec/finders"
 
 #config 2/2 failed, controllers many failed