diff --git a/tests/check/Makefile.am b/tests/check/Makefile.am
index 28d622ea3e..158e723c87 100644
--- a/tests/check/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/check/Makefile.am
@@ -258,10 +258,12 @@ noinst_HEADERS = \
 AM_CFLAGS = -I$(top_srcdir)/gst-libs -I$(top_builddir)/gst-libs \
 	$(GST_CFLAGS) $(GST_CHECK_CFLAGS) \
 	-DGST_TEST_FILES_PATH="\"$(TEST_FILES_DIRECTORY)\"" \
+	-DGST_CHECK_TEST_ENVIRONMENT_BEACON="\"GST_PLUGIN_LOADING_WHITELIST\"" \
 	-UG_DISABLE_ASSERT -UG_DISABLE_CAST_CHECKS
 AM_CXXFLAGS = -I$(top_srcdir)/gst-libs -I$(top_builddir)/gst-libs \
 	$(GST_CXXFLAGS) $(GST_CHECK_CFLAGS) \
 	-DGST_TEST_FILES_PATH="\"$(TEST_FILES_DIRECTORY)\"" \
+	-DGST_CHECK_TEST_ENVIRONMENT_BEACON="\"GST_PLUGIN_LOADING_WHITELIST\"" \
 	-UG_DISABLE_ASSERT -UG_DISABLE_CAST_CHECKS
 LDADD = $(GST_LIBS) $(GST_CHECK_LIBS)