diff --git a/tools/test.py b/tools/test.py
index ebc755e0c484d6..f46b13fa30a66a 100755
--- a/tools/test.py
+++ b/tools/test.py
@@ -1644,9 +1644,9 @@ def Main():
 
   tempdir = os.environ.get('NODE_TEST_DIR') or options.temp_dir
   if tempdir:
+    os.environ['NODE_TEST_DIR'] = tempdir
     try:
       os.makedirs(tempdir)
-      os.environ['NODE_TEST_DIR'] = tempdir
     except OSError as exception:
       if exception.errno != errno.EEXIST:
         print "Could not create the temporary directory", options.temp_dir