diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index e1181d426..db5de5d23 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # testthat (development version)
 
+* Helpers should no longer be run twice.
+
 * `test_file()` gains a `desc` argument which allows you to run a single 
   test from a file (#1776).
 
diff --git a/R/test-files.R b/R/test-files.R
index 86ef56fb5..b45640c78 100644
--- a/R/test-files.R
+++ b/R/test-files.R
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ test_files_setup_env <- function(test_package,
 }
 
 find_load_all_args <- function(path) {
-  default <- list(export_all = TRUE, helpers = TRUE)
+  default <- list(export_all = TRUE, helpers = FALSE)
 
   desc <- find_description(path)
   if (is.null(desc)) {