diff --git a/language/codegen/tests/test_templatesmodel.cpp b/language/codegen/tests/test_templatesmodel.cpp
--- a/language/codegen/tests/test_templatesmodel.cpp
+++ b/language/codegen/tests/test_templatesmodel.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 
 void TestTemplatesModel::initTestCase()
 {
+    // avoid translated desktop entries, tests use untranslated strings
+    QLocale::setDefault(QLocale::c());
     AutoTestShell::init();
     TestCore::initialize(Core::NoUi);
 
diff --git a/plugins/filetemplates/tests/test_generationtest.cpp b/plugins/filetemplates/tests/test_generationtest.cpp
--- a/plugins/filetemplates/tests/test_generationtest.cpp
+++ b/plugins/filetemplates/tests/test_generationtest.cpp
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@
     bool addedDir = qputenv("XDG_DATA_DIRS", xdgData);
     QVERIFY(addedDir);
 
+    // avoid translated desktop entries, tests use untranslated strings
+    QLocale::setDefault(QLocale::c());
     AutoTestShell::init();
     TestCore::initialize (Core::NoUi);