diff --git a/django/contrib/messages/tests/base.py b/django/contrib/messages/tests/base.py
index 2dea5a46d0..6a7700b3ab 100644
--- a/django/contrib/messages/tests/base.py
+++ b/django/contrib/messages/tests/base.py
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ class BaseTest(TestCase):
         self._message_storage = settings.MESSAGE_STORAGE
         settings.MESSAGE_STORAGE = '%s.%s' % (self.storage_class.__module__,
                                               self.storage_class.__name__)
+        self.old_TEMPLATE_DIRS = settings.TEMPLATE_DIRS
+        settings.TEMPLATE_DIRS = ()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         for setting in self.restore_settings:
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@ class BaseTest(TestCase):
            self._template_context_processors
         settings.INSTALLED_APPS = self._installed_apps
         settings.MESSAGE_STORAGE = self._message_storage
+        settings.TEMPLATE_DIRS = self.old_TEMPLATE_DIRS
 
     def restore_setting(self, setting):
         if setting in self._remembered_settings: