diff --git a/tests/run_tests.py b/tests/run_tests.py
index 4374d70cef..ce0bb57729 100755
--- a/tests/run_tests.py
+++ b/tests/run_tests.py
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ import nose
 import glob
 from subprocess import call
 
+# get current working directory
+pwd = os.getcwd()
+sys.path.append(pwd)
+
 # setup color printing codes
 OK = '\033[92m'
 FAIL = '\033[91m'
@@ -25,9 +29,6 @@ run_gfortran_petsc = True
 run_gfortran_phdf5_petsc = True
 run_gfortran_phdf5_petsc_opt = True
 
-# get current working directory
-pwd = os.getcwd()
-
 # check for extra command line options
 opts = ['all'] # default is run everything
 if len(sys.argv) > 1: