diff --git a/abratest/runner.py b/abratest/runner.py
index 85e2ae9..79545b6 100644
--- a/abratest/runner.py
+++ b/abratest/runner.py
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ class Runner:
         self.config = self.env_file.config
 
         logger.info(f"creating instance of {self.__class__.__name__}")
-        assert self.test_dir_name
 
     def run_setups(self):
         """runs the setup scripts if available"""