diff --git a/test/api/Makefile.am b/test/api/Makefile.am
index 237f92c88..cc0c3e9bf 100644
--- a/test/api/Makefile.am
+++ b/test/api/Makefile.am
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
 	G_DEBUG=gc-friendly \
 	G_SLICE=always-malloc \
 	srcdir=$(srcdir) \
-	$(ENV)
+	$(NULL)
 
 
 # check-tool: Run tests under $(TOOL)