diff --git a/test/framework/filetools.py b/test/framework/filetools.py
index eda2f5ed2f..ea0c875a93 100644
--- a/test/framework/filetools.py
+++ b/test/framework/filetools.py
@@ -961,6 +961,9 @@ def test_copy_file(self):
         src, target = os.path.dirname(to_copy), os.path.join(self.test_prefix, 'toy')
         self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, "Failed to copy file.*Is a directory", ft.copy_file, src, target)
 
+        # copying a file to its own location should fail, but nicely (i.e. with an EasyBuildError, not a traceback)
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, "Failed to copy file", ft.copy_file, to_copy, to_copy)
+
         # also test behaviour of copy_file under --dry-run
         build_options = {
             'extended_dry_run': True,