diff --git a/tests/src/python/test_qgsappstartup.py b/tests/src/python/test_qgsappstartup.py
index a0c79715cbab..3893d4cf2eac 100644
--- a/tests/src/python/test_qgsappstartup.py
+++ b/tests/src/python/test_qgsappstartup.py
@@ -139,20 +139,20 @@ def testPyQgisStartupEnvVar(self):
         # verify PYQGIS_STARTUP env variable file is run by embedded interpreter
         # create a temp python module that writes out test file
         testfile = 'pyqgis_startup.txt'
-        testfilepath = os.path.join(self.TMP_DIR, testfile)
+        testfilepath = os.path.join(self.TMP_DIR, testfile).replace('\\', '/')
         testcode = [
-            "f = open('{0}', 'w')\n".format(testfilepath.replace('\\', '\\\\')),
+            "f = open('{0}', 'w')\n".format(testfilepath),
             "f.write('This is a test')\n",
             "f.close()\n"
         ]
-        testmod = os.path.join(self.TMP_DIR, 'pyqgis_startup.py')
+        testmod = os.path.join(self.TMP_DIR, 'pyqgis_startup.py').replace('\\', '/')
         f = open(testmod, 'w')
         f.writelines(testcode)
         f.close()
-        msg = 'Failed to create test file from executing PYQGIS_STARTUP file'
+        msg = 'Creation of test file by executing PYQGIS_STARTUP file failed'
         assert self.doTestStartup(
             testFile=testfilepath,
-            timeOut=15,
+            timeOut=120,
             env={'PYQGIS_STARTUP': testmod}), msg