diff --git a/Makefile.tests.am b/Makefile.tests.am
index 18f30b2bd..063cd3bb4 100644
--- a/Makefile.tests.am
+++ b/Makefile.tests.am
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ AM_TESTS_ENVIRONMENT_VARS = \
 	XDG_CACHE_HOME=$(abs_top_builddir) \
 	XDG_DATA_HOME=$(abs_top_builddir) \
 	GSETTINGS_BACKEND=memory \
-	GSETTINGS_SCHEMA_DIR=$(abs_top_builddir) \
+	GSETTINGS_SCHEMA_DIR=$(abs_top_builddir):$(GSETTINGS_SCHEMA_DIR) \
 	NO_AT_BRIDGE=1 \
 	GST_DEBUG_FILE=/dev/null \
 	GST_REGISTRY_1_0=$(CHECK_REGISTRY) \