diff --git a/src/tests/backend/test_masterlist.h b/src/tests/backend/test_masterlist.h
index 80dc3f95..38d09bf3 100644
--- a/src/tests/backend/test_masterlist.h
+++ b/src/tests/backend/test_masterlist.h
@@ -28,18 +28,7 @@ along with LOOT.  If not, see
 #include "backend/masterlist.h"
 #include "tests/fixtures.h"
 
-class Masterlist : public SkyrimTest {
-protected:
-    inline virtual void SetUp() {
-        SkyrimTest::SetUp();
-
-        // 'bad cast' exceptions are thrown for some reason unless a game is
-        // initialised.
-        loot::Game game(loot::Game::tes5);
-        game.SetGamePath(dataPath.parent_path());
-        ASSERT_NO_THROW(game.Init(false, localPath));
-    }
-};
+class Masterlist : public SkyrimTest {};
 
 TEST_F(Masterlist, Update_Game) {
     loot::Game game(loot::Game::tes5);
diff --git a/src/tests/backend/test_metadata_list.h b/src/tests/backend/test_metadata_list.h
index 988ca9f1..0661d0eb 100644
--- a/src/tests/backend/test_metadata_list.h
+++ b/src/tests/backend/test_metadata_list.h
@@ -32,23 +32,17 @@ class MetadataList : public SkyrimTest {
 protected:
     MetadataList() :
         metadataPath("./testing-metadata-master/masterlist.yaml"),
-        savedMetadataPath("./testing-metadata-master/saved.masterlist.yaml") {}
+        savedMetadataPath("./testing-metadata-master/saved.masterlist.yaml") {
+        PluginMetadataToString = [](const loot::PluginMetadata& plugin) {
+            return plugin.Name();
+        };
+    }
 
     inline virtual void SetUp() {
         SkyrimTest::SetUp();
 
         ASSERT_TRUE(boost::filesystem::exists(metadataPath));
         ASSERT_FALSE(boost::filesystem::exists(savedMetadataPath));
-
-        // 'bad cast' exceptions are thrown for some reason unless a game is
-        // initialised.
-        loot::Game game(loot::Game::tes5);
-        game.SetGamePath(dataPath.parent_path());
-        ASSERT_NO_THROW(game.Init(false, localPath));
-
-        PluginMetadataToString = [](const loot::PluginMetadata& plugin) {
-            return plugin.Name();
-        };
     }
 
     inline virtual void TearDown() {
diff --git a/src/tests/main.cpp b/src/tests/main.cpp
index 6c799708..594b52f5 100644
--- a/src/tests/main.cpp
+++ b/src/tests/main.cpp
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ TEST(ModuloOperator, Cpp11Conformance) {
 }
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
+    //Set the locale to get encoding conversions working correctly.
+    std::locale::global(boost::locale::generator().generate(""));
+    boost::filesystem::path::imbue(std::locale());
+
     //Disable logging or else stdout will get overrun.
     boost::log::core::get()->set_logging_enabled(false);