diff --git a/appveyor.yml b/appveyor.yml
index aa3e413f..8a0b559c 100644
--- a/appveyor.yml
+++ b/appveyor.yml
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 version: "master-{build}"
 
-# fix for retrieving progress information for local execution
-# see: http://help.appveyor.com/discussions/problems/5170-progresspreference-not-works-always-shown-preparing-modules-for-first-use-in-stderr
-image: Previous Visual Studio 2015
-
 platform:
   - x64
 
@@ -54,4 +50,6 @@ build_script:
 
 test_script:
   - SET SPEC_OPTS=--format progress
+  # ensure powershell is initialized to prevent `Preparing modules for first use.` errors
+  - ps: Write-Output "test"
   - bundle exec rake test:windows