diff --git a/tests/by-util/test_stty.rs b/tests/by-util/test_stty.rs
index f68de5daf..737ceac41 100644
--- a/tests/by-util/test_stty.rs
+++ b/tests/by-util/test_stty.rs
@@ -147,6 +147,14 @@ fn invalid_setting() {
         .stderr_contains("invalid argument 'igpar'");
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn invalid_free_word_fails_immediately() {
+    new_ucmd!()
+        .args(&["foo", "bar"])
+        .fails()
+        .stderr_contains("invalid argument 'foo'");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn invalid_baud_setting() {
     #[cfg(not(any(