diff --git a/tests/test_coordinator.py b/tests/test_coordinator.py
index c52e6db..7758cae 100644
--- a/tests/test_coordinator.py
+++ b/tests/test_coordinator.py
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ def test_load_test_credentials(tmp_path: Path):
     assert "TEST_USER" in os.environ
     test_user_before = os.environ["TEST_USER"]
 
-    os.environ.clear()
+    # os.environ.clear()  # this breaks pytest!
+    del os.environ["TEST_USER"]
     assert "TEST_USER" not in os.environ
 
     Coordinator.load_test_credentials(DIR)