diff --git a/testsuite/install.00-init/010-environ.exp b/testsuite/install.00-init/010-environ.exp
index c57aaf7d..f07b7195 100644
--- a/testsuite/install.00-init/010-environ.exp
+++ b/testsuite/install.00-init/010-environ.exp
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ if {[info exists install_quarlist]} {
    }
 }
 
+# clean any automated handling mode configuration
+catch {unset env(MODULES_AUTO_HANDLING)}
+
 # clean any in depth mode configuration
 catch {unset env(MODULES_AVAIL_INDEPTH)}
 
diff --git a/testsuite/modules.00-init/010-environ.exp b/testsuite/modules.00-init/010-environ.exp
index d97707d5..a153f8e4 100644
--- a/testsuite/modules.00-init/010-environ.exp
+++ b/testsuite/modules.00-init/010-environ.exp
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ foreach var [array names env] {
     }
 }
 
+# clean any automated handling mode configuration
+catch {unset env(MODULES_AUTO_HANDLING)}
+
 # clean any in depth mode configuration
 catch {unset env(MODULES_AVAIL_INDEPTH)}