diff --git a/tests/src/unit-custom-base-class.cpp b/tests/src/unit-custom-base-class.cpp
index 3f2d3e9ea..71698d041 100644
--- a/tests/src/unit-custom-base-class.cpp
+++ b/tests/src/unit-custom-base-class.cpp
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ TEST_CASE("destroying a value does not construct the custom base class")
     const auto check_destroy = [](std::unique_ptr<json_with_counting_base> j, std::size_t values)
     {
         counting_base::reset();
-        j.reset();
+        j = nullptr;
         CHECK(counting_base::constructions == 0);
         CHECK(counting_base::destructions == values);
     };