diff --git a/v2/test/alternatives.py b/v2/test/alternatives.py
index 5c5ada90e..0c1d91abb 100644
--- a/v2/test/alternatives.py
+++ b/v2/test/alternatives.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ t.write("Jamfile", """
 exe a : a_empty.cpp ;
 exe a : a.cpp ;
 """)
-t.run_build_system("--no-error-backtrace", status=1)
+t.run_build_system("--no-error-backtrace", status=None)
 t.fail_test(find(t.stdout(), "No best alternative") == -1)
 
 # Another ambiguity test: two matches properties in one alternative are
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ exe a : a_empty.cpp : <optimization>off <profiling>off ;
 exe a : a.cpp : <debug-symbols>on ;
 """)
 
-t.run_build_system("--no-error-backtrace", status=1)
+t.run_build_system("--no-error-backtrace", status=None)
 t.fail_test(find(t.stdout(), "No best alternative") == -1)