diff --git a/asekuro/commandline.py b/asekuro/commandline.py
index 418bb5e..907d1b7 100644
--- a/asekuro/commandline.py
+++ b/asekuro/commandline.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ def _cwd(nbpath):
     logger.debug(f"directory of script calling {os.getcwd()}")
     folder = os.path.dirname(nbpath)
     filename = os.path.basename(nbpath)
+    if folder == "":
+        folder = os.getcwd()
     os.chdir(folder)
     logger.debug(f"directory for rest of script {os.getcwd()}")
     return folder, filename
diff --git a/tests/test_commandline.py b/tests/test_commandline.py
index 16691cf..51f6bc6 100644
--- a/tests/test_commandline.py
+++ b/tests/test_commandline.py
@@ -1,7 +1,35 @@
+import os
 import subprocess
 
+from asekuro.commandline import _testfile
 
-class TestCommandLine:
+class TestPathHandlingLocal:
+
+    @classmethod
+    def setup_class(cls):
+        os.chdir("tests")
+
+    @classmethod
+    def teardown_class(cls):
+        os.chdir("..")
+
+    def test_tempfile_creation(self):
+        assert _testfile("foobar.ipynb") == "foobar-test.ipynb"
+
+    def test_good_nb(self):
+        status = subprocess.call(['asekuro', 'test', 'good-nb.ipynb'])
+        assert status == 0
+
+    def test_data_nb(self):
+        status = subprocess.call(['asekuro', 'test', 'data-nb.ipynb'])
+        assert status == 0
+
+    def test_bad_bn(self):
+        status = subprocess.call(['asekuro', 'test', 'bad-nb.ipynb'])
+        assert status == 2
+
+
+class TestCommandLineOuter:
 
     def test_good_nb(self):
         status = subprocess.call(['asekuro', 'test', 'tests/good-nb.ipynb'])