diff --git a/zapcore/write_syncer_test.go b/zapcore/write_syncer_test.go
index 3172c58c0..b67230531 100644
--- a/zapcore/write_syncer_test.go
+++ b/zapcore/write_syncer_test.go
@@ -77,9 +77,8 @@ func TestCheckSync(t *testing.T) {
 		t.SkipNow()
 		return
 	}
-	defer os.Remove(tmpFile.Name())
 	defer tmpFile.Close()
-	assert.True(t, checkSync(tmpFile), "Expected temp file to pass sync check")
+	assert.True(t, checkSync(tmpFile), "Expected os.Stderr to fail sync check")
 }
 
 func TestMultiWriteSyncerWritesBoth(t *testing.T) {