diff --git a/test/vfd.c b/test/vfd.c
index 596d39aa9e..c947589023 100644
--- a/test/vfd.c
+++ b/test/vfd.c
@@ -196,7 +196,8 @@ test_core(void)
     h5_reset();
 
     /* Get a file access property list and fix up the file name */
-    fapl_id = h5_fileaccess();
+    if((fapl_id = H5Pcreate(H5P_FILE_ACCESS)) < 0)
+        FAIL_STACK_ERROR;
     h5_fixname(FILENAME[1], fapl_id, filename, sizeof(filename));
 
     /************************************************************************