diff --git a/spec/spec_helper.rb b/spec/spec_helper.rb
index e95bab803c4..7250a5078b6 100644
--- a/spec/spec_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Spork.prefork do
     end
 
     config.before(:all) do
-      DiscoursePluginRegistry.clear
+      DiscoursePluginRegistry.clear if ENV['LOAD_PLUGINS'] != "true"
       Discourse.current_user_provider = TestCurrentUserProvider
 
       # a bit odd, but this setting is actually preloaded