diff --git a/tests/unit/test_helper.bash b/tests/unit/test_helper.bash
index 818f8c6ef..5b79d3426 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_helper.bash
+++ b/tests/unit/test_helper.bash
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ server {
     proxy_pass  http://{{ $.APP }}-{{ \$upstream_port }};
     proxy_http_version 1.1;
     proxy_set_header Upgrade \$http_upgrade;
-    proxy_set_header Connection $http_connection;
+    proxy_set_header Connection \$http_connection;
     proxy_set_header Host \$http_host;
     proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto \$scheme;
     proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For \$remote_addr;