diff --git a/test/spec/modes/add_note.js b/test/spec/modes/add_note.js
index 6650e8576..def8159ae 100644
--- a/test/spec/modes/add_note.js
+++ b/test/spec/modes/add_note.js
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ describe('iD.modeAddNote', function() {
     var context;
 
     before(function() {
+        window.location.hash = '#background=none';  // Try not to load imagery
         iD.services.osm = iD.serviceOsm;
     });
 
diff --git a/test/spec/spec_helpers.js b/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
index 137ca83b4..5fb66a4b7 100644
--- a/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
+++ b/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ iD.debug = true;
 // Disable things that use the network
 for (var k in iD.services) { delete iD.services[k]; }
 
+// Try not to load imagery
+window.location.hash = '#background=none';
+
 // Run without data for speed (tests which need data can set it up themselves)
 iD.fileFetcher.assetPath('../dist/');
 var cached = iD.fileFetcher.cache();