diff --git a/tests/devices-test.c b/tests/devices-test.c
index 719f4595..e84273cc 100644
--- a/tests/devices-test.c
+++ b/tests/devices-test.c
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ fixture_setup(struct weston_test_harness *harness)
 
 	compositor_setup_defaults(&setup);
 
+	setup.shell = SHELL_TEST_DESKTOP;
+
 	return weston_test_harness_execute_as_client(harness, &setup);
 }
 DECLARE_FIXTURE_SETUP(fixture_setup);