diff --git a/python/run-tests b/python/run-tests
index e683e1d950614..f3a07d8aba562 100755
--- a/python/run-tests
+++ b/python/run-tests
@@ -21,14 +21,14 @@
 # Figure out where the Spark framework is installed
 FWDIR="$(cd "`dirname "$0"`"; cd ../; pwd)"
 
+. "$FWDIR"/bin/load-spark-env.sh
+
 # CD into the python directory to find things on the right path
 cd "$FWDIR/python"
 
 FAILED=0
 LOG_FILE=unit-tests.log
 
-. "$FWDIR"/bin/load-spark-env.sh
-
 rm -f $LOG_FILE
 
 # Remove the metastore and warehouse directory created by the HiveContext tests in Spark SQL