diff --git a/test/pkg.jl b/test/pkg.jl
index fc696eff12b77..7e1fc143dcf0a 100644
--- a/test/pkg.jl
+++ b/test/pkg.jl
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 function temp_pkg_dir(fn::Function)
   # Used in tests below to setup and teardown a sandboxed package directory
-  const tmpdir = ENV["JULIA_PKGDIR"] = abspath(string("tmp.",randstring()))
+  const tmpdir = ENV["JULIA_PKGDIR"] = tempname()
   @test !isdir(Pkg.dir())
   try
     Pkg.init()