diff --git a/lib/galaxy/config.py b/lib/galaxy/config.py
index 2e7caaf741f..b640d964e93 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/config.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/config.py
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@ class Configuration( object ):
         # Where dataset files are stored
         self.file_path = resolve_path( kwargs.get( "file_path", "database/files" ), self.root )
         self.new_file_path = resolve_path( kwargs.get( "new_file_path", "database/tmp" ), self.root )
-        tempfile.tempdir = self.new_file_path
+        override_tempdir = string_as_bool( kwargs.get( "override_tempdir", "True" ) )
+        if override_tempdir:
+            tempfile.tempdir = self.new_file_path
         self.openid_consumer_cache_path = resolve_path( kwargs.get( "openid_consumer_cache_path", "database/openid_consumer_cache" ), self.root )
         self.cookie_path = kwargs.get( "cookie_path", "/" )
         # Galaxy OpenID settings
diff --git a/test/base/driver_util.py b/test/base/driver_util.py
index ec7d4496ea7..a8cad0d4803 100644
--- a/test/base/driver_util.py
+++ b/test/base/driver_util.py
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ def setup_galaxy_config(
         library_import_dir=library_import_dir,
         log_destination="stdout",
         new_file_path=new_file_path,
+        override_tempdir=False,
         master_api_key=master_api_key,
         running_functional_tests=True,
         shed_tool_data_table_config=shed_tool_data_table_config,