diff --git a/test/run-spec-test.py b/test/run-spec-test.py
index 94a12fb..1777478 100755
--- a/test/run-spec-test.py
+++ b/test/run-spec-test.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 import argparse
 import os, sys, glob, time
+import subprocess
 import json
 import re
 import struct
@@ -85,6 +86,9 @@ def fatal(msg):
     print(f"{ansi.FAIL}Fatal:{ansi.ENDC} {msg}")
     sys.exit(1)
 
+def run(cmd):
+    return subprocess.check_output(cmd, shell=True)
+
 def filename(p):
     _, fn = os.path.split(p)
     return fn