diff --git a/tests/staticfiles_tests/settings.py b/tests/staticfiles_tests/settings.py
index caf42b2505..0008894a44 100644
--- a/tests/staticfiles_tests/settings.py
+++ b/tests/staticfiles_tests/settings.py
@@ -26,4 +26,7 @@ TEST_SETTINGS = {
         'staticfiles_tests.apps.test',
         'staticfiles_tests.apps.no_label',
     ],
+    # In particular, AuthenticationMiddleware can't be used because
+    # contrib.auth isn't in INSTALLED_APPS.
+    'MIDDLEWARE': [],
 }