diff --git a/test/test_art.py b/test/test_art.py
index 75a27f7c0..369c5e839 100644
--- a/test/test_art.py
+++ b/test/test_art.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 import unittest
 import sys
 
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 from beets.autotag import art
 
 class MockHeaders(object):
diff --git a/test/test_autotag.py b/test/test_autotag.py
index 90e183073..a3f5e3eee 100644
--- a/test/test_autotag.py
+++ b/test/test_autotag.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import sys
 import os
 import shutil
 import re
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 from beets import autotag
 from beets.library import Item
 
diff --git a/test/test_db.py b/test/test_db.py
index 1afd67e0a..99d43f473 100644
--- a/test/test_db.py
+++ b/test/test_db.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import os
 import sqlite3
 import ntpath
 import posixpath
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 import beets.library
 
 def lib(): return beets.library.Library('rsrc' + os.sep + 'test.blb')
diff --git a/test/test_files.py b/test/test_files.py
index 311dba671..1742214e9 100644
--- a/test/test_files.py
+++ b/test/test_files.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import sys
 import os
 import stat
 from os.path import join
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 import beets.library
 from test_db import item
 
diff --git a/test/test_mb.py b/test/test_mb.py
index 42910d836..2220d32b5 100644
--- a/test/test_mb.py
+++ b/test/test_mb.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import time
 import musicbrainz2.model
 import musicbrainz2.webservice as mbws
 import _common
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 from beets.autotag import mb
 
 def nullfun(): pass
diff --git a/test/test_mediafile.py b/test/test_mediafile.py
index 68a12c46a..d540e88f3 100644
--- a/test/test_mediafile.py
+++ b/test/test_mediafile.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 """
 
 import unittest, sys, os, shutil, datetime
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 import beets.mediafile
 
 class EdgeTest(unittest.TestCase):
diff --git a/test/test_mediafile_basic.py b/test/test_mediafile_basic.py
index 3aab06131..24948f1a2 100644
--- a/test/test_mediafile_basic.py
+++ b/test/test_mediafile_basic.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ layer.
 """
 
 import unittest, sys, os, shutil, datetime
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 import beets.mediafile
 
 
diff --git a/test/test_player.py b/test/test_player.py
index 4bd95bb78..4586aa804 100644
--- a/test/test_player.py
+++ b/test/test_player.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 import unittest
 import sys
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 from beetsplug import bpd
 
 class FauxPathTest(unittest.TestCase):
diff --git a/test/test_query.py b/test/test_query.py
index e05f6fab7..cd5eb3875 100644
--- a/test/test_query.py
+++ b/test/test_query.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 """
 
 import unittest, sys, os
-sys.path.append('..')
+sys.path.insert(0, '..')
 import beets.library
 import test_db