diff --git a/tests/check/Makefile.am b/tests/check/Makefile.am
index 5184e24aad..2da3aaf8bd 100644
--- a/tests/check/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/check/Makefile.am
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ TEST_FILES_DIRECTORY = $(top_srcdir)/tests/files
 REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT = \
 	GST_REGISTRY_1_0=$(CHECK_REGISTRY)
 
-AM_TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
+AM_TESTS_ENVIRONMENT += \
 	$(REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT)					\
 	GST_PLUGIN_SYSTEM_PATH_1_0=				\
 	GST_PLUGIN_PATH_1_0=$(top_builddir)/gst:$(top_builddir)/ext:$(top_builddir)/sys:$(GSTPB_PLUGINS_DIR):$(GST_PLUGINS_DIR)			\