diff --git a/src/libstrongswan/tests/tests.c b/src/libstrongswan/tests/tests.c
index 9f2adfd15..d95ddd9d5 100644
--- a/src/libstrongswan/tests/tests.c
+++ b/src/libstrongswan/tests/tests.c
@@ -35,8 +35,14 @@ static bool test_runner_init(bool init)
 {
 	if (init)
 	{
-		plugin_loader_add_plugindirs(PLUGINDIR, PLUGINS);
-		if (!lib->plugins->load(lib->plugins, PLUGINS))
+		char *plugins, *plugindir;
+
+		plugins = lib->settings->get_str(lib->settings,
+										"tests.load", PLUGINS);
+		plugindir = lib->settings->get_str(lib->settings,
+										"tests.plugindir", PLUGINDIR);
+		plugin_loader_add_plugindirs(plugindir, plugins);
+		if (!lib->plugins->load(lib->plugins, plugins))
 		{
 			return FALSE;
 		}