diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/bootstrap.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/bootstrap.py
index 8fa9c5b20b..54536121ae 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/bootstrap.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/bootstrap.py
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
 # along with IfcOpenShell.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import os
+import sys
+
+if os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..')) == sys.path[0]:
+    # Don't import ifcopenshell from local directory, because it most likely
+    # does not contain the built binary
+    sys.path[0:1] = []
+
 import pytest
 import ifcopenshell
 import ifcopenshell.api.project