diff --git a/spec/register.js b/spec/register.js
index bf139d0ed..e20235f00 100644
--- a/spec/register.js
+++ b/spec/register.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
             connection.connected = false;
             converse._tearDown();
             converse.initialize({
+                i18n: window.locales.en,
                 bosh_service_url: 'localhost',
                 allow_registration: true,
                 auto_subscribe: false,
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@
             connection.connected = false;
             converse._tearDown();
             converse.initialize({
+                i18n: window.locales.en,
                 animate: false,
                 auto_subscribe: false,
                 bosh_service_url: 'localhost',
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@
             connection.connected = false;
             converse._tearDown();
             converse.initialize({
+                i18n: window.locales.en,
                 bosh_service_url: 'localhost',
                 allow_registration: true,
                 auto_subscribe: false,
diff --git a/tests/main.js b/tests/main.js
index 1c4eafed7..350b88454 100644
--- a/tests/main.js
+++ b/tests/main.js
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ require([
         window.sessionStorage.clear();
 
         converse.initialize({
+            i18n: window.locales.en,
             auto_subscribe: false,
             animate: false,
             connection: mock.mock_connection,