diff --git a/lib/facter.rb b/lib/facter.rb
index 68b3d7b0fc..e85c99b1a2 100644
--- a/lib/facter.rb
+++ b/lib/facter.rb
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ def self.clear
   # @api public
   def self.reset
     @collection = nil
+    reset_search_path!
   end
 
   # Loads all facts.
@@ -195,8 +196,6 @@ def self.loadfacts
     collection.load_all
   end
 
-  @search_path = []
-
   # Register directories to be searched for facts. The registered directories
   # must be absolute paths or they will be ignored.
   #
@@ -218,6 +217,16 @@ def self.search_path
     @search_path.dup
   end
 
+  # Reset the Facter search directories.
+  #
+  # @api private
+  # @return [void]
+  def self.reset_search_path!
+    @search_path = []
+  end
+
+  reset_search_path!
+
   # Registers directories to be searched for external facts.
   #
   # @param dirs [Array<String>] directories to search
diff --git a/spec/unit/facter_spec.rb b/spec/unit/facter_spec.rb
index 6817446002..1b87ef3634 100755
--- a/spec/unit/facter_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/facter_spec.rb
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
   end
 
   describe "when registering directories to search" do
-    after { Facter.instance_variable_set("@search_path", []) }
+    after { Facter.reset_search_path! }
 
     it "should allow registration of a directory" do
       Facter.search "/my/dir"