diff --git a/tests/check/Makefile.am b/tests/check/Makefile.am
index f99e55551a..a64f285ab1 100644
--- a/tests/check/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/check/Makefile.am
@@ -394,6 +394,7 @@ TESTS = $(check_PROGRAMS)
 
 AM_CFLAGS = $(GST_OBJ_CFLAGS) $(GST_CHECK_CFLAGS) $(CHECK_CFLAGS) \
 	$(GST_OPTION_CFLAGS) $(GST_CFLAGS) -DGST_TEST_FILES_PATH="\"$(TEST_FILES_DIRECTORY)\"" \
+	-DGST_CHECK_TEST_ENVIRONMENT_BEACON="\"GST_PLUGIN_LOADING_WHITELIST\"" \
 	-UG_DISABLE_ASSERT -UG_DISABLE_CAST_CHECKS
 LDADD = $(GST_OBJ_LIBS) $(GST_CHECK_LIBS) $(CHECK_LIBS)