diff --git a/autotests/integration/effects/fade_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/effects/fade_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/integration/effects/fade_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/effects/fade_test.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 
 void FadeTest::initTestCase()
 {
+    qputenv("XDG_DATA_DIRS", QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath().toUtf8());
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::ShellClient*>();
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::AbstractClient*>();
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::Effect*>();
diff --git a/autotests/integration/effects/translucency_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/effects/translucency_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/integration/effects/translucency_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/effects/translucency_test.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@
 
 void TranslucencyTest::initTestCase()
 {
+    qputenv("XDG_DATA_DIRS", QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath().toUtf8());
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::ShellClient*>();
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::AbstractClient*>();
     qRegisterMetaType<KWin::Effect*>();