diff --git a/tests/examples/manual/Makefile.am b/tests/examples/manual/Makefile.am
index 80c4848125..8d50c89980 100644
--- a/tests/examples/manual/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/examples/manual/Makefile.am
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT = \
 
 TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
         $(REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT)                                 \
+        GST_PLUGIN_SCANNER=$(top_builddir)/libs/gst/helpers/plugin-scanner \
         GST_PLUGIN_SYSTEM_PATH=                                 \
         GST_PLUGIN_PATH=$(top_builddir)/plugins