diff --git a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_backtesting.py b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_backtesting.py
index c34302a13..c65934c4e 100644
--- a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_backtesting.py
+++ b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_backtesting.py
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ def test_freqai_backtest_live_models_model_not_found(freqai_conf, mocker, testda
 
 
 def test_freqai_backtest_consistent_timerange(mocker, freqai_conf):
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
     mocker.patch('freqtrade.plugins.pairlistmanager.PairListManager.whitelist',
                  PropertyMock(return_value=['XRP/USDT:USDT']))
 
diff --git a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datadrawer.py b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datadrawer.py
index 2d1b1c691..7e1a1c32e 100644
--- a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datadrawer.py
+++ b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datadrawer.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from tests.freqai.conftest import get_patched_freqai_strategy
 
 
 def test_update_historic_data(mocker, freqai_conf):
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
     strategy = get_patched_freqai_strategy(mocker, freqai_conf)
     exchange = get_patched_exchange(mocker, freqai_conf)
     strategy.dp = DataProvider(freqai_conf, exchange)
diff --git a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datakitchen.py b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datakitchen.py
index ca7f8a9d4..901abd21b 100644
--- a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datakitchen.py
+++ b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_datakitchen.py
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ def test_get_pair_data_for_features_with_prealoaded_data(mocker, freqai_conf):
 
 def test_get_pair_data_for_features_without_preloaded_data(mocker, freqai_conf):
     freqai_conf.update({"timerange": "20180115-20180130"})
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
 
     strategy = get_patched_freqai_strategy(mocker, freqai_conf)
     exchange = get_patched_exchange(mocker, freqai_conf)
diff --git a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_interface.py b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_interface.py
index 990f3efff..cc5a9b326 100644
--- a/tests/freqai/test_freqai_interface.py
+++ b/tests/freqai/test_freqai_interface.py
@@ -299,8 +299,11 @@ def test_start_backtesting(mocker, freqai_conf, model, num_files, strat, caplog)
 
 def test_start_backtesting_subdaily_backtest_period(mocker, freqai_conf):
     freqai_conf.update({"timerange": "20180120-20180124"})
-    freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).update({"backtest_period_days": 0.5})
-    freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).update({"save_backtest_models": True})
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
+    freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).update({
+        "backtest_period_days": 0.5,
+        "save_backtest_models": True,
+    })
     freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).get("feature_parameters", {}).update(
         {"indicator_periods_candles": [2]})
     strategy = get_patched_freqai_strategy(mocker, freqai_conf)
@@ -327,6 +330,7 @@ def test_start_backtesting_subdaily_backtest_period(mocker, freqai_conf):
 
 def test_start_backtesting_from_existing_folder(mocker, freqai_conf, caplog):
     freqai_conf.update({"timerange": "20180120-20180130"})
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
     freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).update({"save_backtest_models": True})
     freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).get("feature_parameters", {}).update(
         {"indicator_periods_candles": [2]})
@@ -390,6 +394,7 @@ def test_start_backtesting_from_existing_folder(mocker, freqai_conf, caplog):
 
 
 def test_backtesting_fit_live_predictions(mocker, freqai_conf, caplog):
+    freqai_conf['runmode'] = 'backtest'
     freqai_conf.get("freqai", {}).update({"fit_live_predictions_candles": 10})
     strategy = get_patched_freqai_strategy(mocker, freqai_conf)
     exchange = get_patched_exchange(mocker, freqai_conf)