diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 313639b..983c8d3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     "encoding-down": "^6.2.0",
     "inherits": "^2.0.3",
     "level-option-wrap": "^1.1.0",
-    "levelup": "^4.2.0",
+    "levelup": "^4.3.1",
     "reachdown": "^1.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/test/index.js b/test/index.js
index e3503e9..f9b9d83 100644
--- a/test/index.js
+++ b/test/index.js
@@ -108,11 +108,7 @@ test('SubDb main function', function (t) {
       }
     }
 
-    subdb(mockdb, 'test')
-
-    // Awkward: we don't pass a callback to levelup() so levelup goes
-    // into "promise mode" which we can't catch properly
-    process.once('unhandledRejection', (err) => {
+    subdb(mockdb, 'test').on('error', (err) => {
       t.is(err.message, 'error from underlying store')
     })
   })