diff --git a/testing/python/fixture.py b/testing/python/fixture.py
index e2bca5286..e7232a25f 100644
--- a/testing/python/fixture.py
+++ b/testing/python/fixture.py
@@ -1586,7 +1586,8 @@ class TestAutouseManagement:
                 def test_2(self):
                     pass
         """)
-        reprec = testdir.inline_run("-v","-s")
+        confcut = "--confcutdir={0}".format(testdir.tmpdir)
+        reprec = testdir.inline_run("-v","-s", confcut)
         reprec.assertoutcome(passed=8)
         config = reprec.getcalls("pytest_unconfigure")[0].config
         l = config.pluginmanager._getconftestmodules(p)[0].l
diff --git a/testing/test_conftest.py b/testing/test_conftest.py
index 6f5e77f6d..90db7835c 100644
--- a/testing/test_conftest.py
+++ b/testing/test_conftest.py
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ def test_conftest_import_order(testdir, monkeypatch):
     def impct(p):
         return p
     conftest = PytestPluginManager()
+    conftest._confcutdir = testdir.tmpdir
     monkeypatch.setattr(conftest, '_importconftest', impct)
     assert conftest._getconftestmodules(sub) == [ct1, ct2]