diff --git a/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md b/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
index 9ce6f496f..07a8b6267 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG_PENDING.md
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ Special thanks to external contributors on this release:
 
 ### IMPROVEMENTS:
 
+- [config] \#3291 Make config.ResetTestRootWithChainID() create concurrency-safe test directories.
+
 ### BUG FIXES:
 
 * [consensus] \#3297 Flush WAL on stop to prevent data corruption during
diff --git a/blockchain/reactor_test.go b/blockchain/reactor_test.go
index 1e8666f12..1b3aee56f 100644
--- a/blockchain/reactor_test.go
+++ b/blockchain/reactor_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package blockchain
 
 import (
+	"os"
 	"sort"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -125,6 +126,7 @@ func newBlockchainReactor(logger log.Logger, genDoc *types.GenesisDoc, privVals
 
 func TestNoBlockResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	config = cfg.ResetTestRoot("blockchain_reactor_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	genDoc, privVals := randGenesisDoc(1, false, 30)
 
 	maxBlockHeight := int64(65)
@@ -184,6 +186,7 @@ func TestNoBlockResponse(t *testing.T) {
 // that seems extreme.
 func TestBadBlockStopsPeer(t *testing.T) {
 	config = cfg.ResetTestRoot("blockchain_reactor_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	genDoc, privVals := randGenesisDoc(1, false, 30)
 
 	maxBlockHeight := int64(148)
diff --git a/blockchain/store_test.go b/blockchain/store_test.go
index 931faf6a7..f1108e722 100644
--- a/blockchain/store_test.go
+++ b/blockchain/store_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package blockchain
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"runtime/debug"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -21,13 +22,16 @@ import (
 	tmtime "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types/time"
 )
 
+// A cleanupFunc cleans up any config / test files created for a particular test.
+type cleanupFunc func()
+
 // make a Commit with a single vote containing just the height and a timestamp
 func makeTestCommit(height int64, timestamp time.Time) *types.Commit {
 	commitSigs := []*types.CommitSig{{Height: height, Timestamp: timestamp}}
 	return types.NewCommit(types.BlockID{}, commitSigs)
 }
 
-func makeStateAndBlockStore(logger log.Logger) (sm.State, *BlockStore) {
+func makeStateAndBlockStore(logger log.Logger) (sm.State, *BlockStore, cleanupFunc) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("blockchain_reactor_test")
 	// blockDB := dbm.NewDebugDB("blockDB", dbm.NewMemDB())
 	// stateDB := dbm.NewDebugDB("stateDB", dbm.NewMemDB())
@@ -37,7 +41,7 @@ func makeStateAndBlockStore(logger log.Logger) (sm.State, *BlockStore) {
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(cmn.ErrorWrap(err, "error constructing state from genesis file"))
 	}
-	return state, NewBlockStore(blockDB)
+	return state, NewBlockStore(blockDB), func() { os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir) }
 }
 
 func TestLoadBlockStoreStateJSON(t *testing.T) {
@@ -87,19 +91,32 @@ func freshBlockStore() (*BlockStore, db.DB) {
 }
 
 var (
-	state, _ = makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	state       sm.State
+	block       *types.Block
+	partSet     *types.PartSet
+	part1       *types.Part
+	part2       *types.Part
+	seenCommit1 *types.Commit
+)
 
-	block       = makeBlock(1, state, new(types.Commit))
-	partSet     = block.MakePartSet(2)
-	part1       = partSet.GetPart(0)
-	part2       = partSet.GetPart(1)
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	var cleanup cleanupFunc
+	state, _, cleanup = makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	block = makeBlock(1, state, new(types.Commit))
+	partSet = block.MakePartSet(2)
+	part1 = partSet.GetPart(0)
+	part2 = partSet.GetPart(1)
 	seenCommit1 = makeTestCommit(10, tmtime.Now())
-)
+	code := m.Run()
+	cleanup()
+	os.Exit(code)
+}
 
 // TODO: This test should be simplified ...
 
 func TestBlockStoreSaveLoadBlock(t *testing.T) {
-	state, bs := makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	state, bs, cleanup := makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	defer cleanup()
 	require.Equal(t, bs.Height(), int64(0), "initially the height should be zero")
 
 	// check there are no blocks at various heights
@@ -350,7 +367,8 @@ func TestLoadBlockMeta(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBlockFetchAtHeight(t *testing.T) {
-	state, bs := makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	state, bs, cleanup := makeStateAndBlockStore(log.NewTMLogger(new(bytes.Buffer)))
+	defer cleanup()
 	require.Equal(t, bs.Height(), int64(0), "initially the height should be zero")
 	block := makeBlock(bs.Height()+1, state, new(types.Commit))
 
diff --git a/config/toml.go b/config/toml.go
index e842e9e37..b023e4e57 100644
--- a/config/toml.go
+++ b/config/toml.go
@@ -3,13 +3,16 @@ package config
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
+	"io/ioutil"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"text/template"
 
 	cmn "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/common"
 )
 
+// DefaultDirPerm is the default permissions used when creating directories.
+const DefaultDirPerm = 0700
+
 var configTemplate *template.Template
 
 func init() {
@@ -24,13 +27,13 @@ func init() {
 // EnsureRoot creates the root, config, and data directories if they don't exist,
 // and panics if it fails.
 func EnsureRoot(rootDir string) {
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(rootDir, 0700); err != nil {
+	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(rootDir, DefaultDirPerm); err != nil {
 		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
 	}
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultConfigDir), 0700); err != nil {
+	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultConfigDir), DefaultDirPerm); err != nil {
 		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
 	}
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultDataDir), 0700); err != nil {
+	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultDataDir), DefaultDirPerm); err != nil {
 		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
 	}
 
@@ -322,29 +325,17 @@ func ResetTestRoot(testName string) *Config {
 }
 
 func ResetTestRootWithChainID(testName string, chainID string) *Config {
-	rootDir := os.ExpandEnv("$HOME/.tendermint_test")
-	rootDir = filepath.Join(rootDir, testName)
-	// Remove ~/.tendermint_test_bak
-	if cmn.FileExists(rootDir + "_bak") {
-		if err := os.RemoveAll(rootDir + "_bak"); err != nil {
-			cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
-		}
-	}
-	// Move ~/.tendermint_test to ~/.tendermint_test_bak
-	if cmn.FileExists(rootDir) {
-		if err := os.Rename(rootDir, rootDir+"_bak"); err != nil {
-			cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
-		}
-	}
-	// Create new dir
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(rootDir, 0700); err != nil {
-		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
+	// create a unique, concurrency-safe test directory under os.TempDir()
+	rootDir, err := ioutil.TempDir("", fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s_", chainID, testName))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
 	}
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultConfigDir), 0700); err != nil {
-		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
+	// ensure config and data subdirs are created
+	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultConfigDir), DefaultDirPerm); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
 	}
-	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultDataDir), 0700); err != nil {
-		cmn.PanicSanity(err.Error())
+	if err := cmn.EnsureDir(filepath.Join(rootDir, defaultDataDir), DefaultDirPerm); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
 	}
 
 	baseConfig := DefaultBaseConfig()
diff --git a/config/toml_test.go b/config/toml_test.go
index 59528db16..5910f10c5 100644
--- a/config/toml_test.go
+++ b/config/toml_test.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ func TestEnsureTestRoot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// create root dir
 	cfg := ResetTestRoot(testName)
+	defer os.RemoveAll(cfg.RootDir)
 	rootDir := cfg.RootDir
 
 	// make sure config is set properly
diff --git a/consensus/byzantine_test.go b/consensus/byzantine_test.go
index ba69d0cc1..31a7badfd 100644
--- a/consensus/byzantine_test.go
+++ b/consensus/byzantine_test.go
@@ -13,10 +13,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-func init() {
-	config = ResetConfig("consensus_byzantine_test")
-}
-
 //----------------------------------------------
 // byzantine failures
 
@@ -29,7 +25,8 @@ func init() {
 func TestByzantine(t *testing.T) {
 	N := 4
 	logger := consensusLogger().With("test", "byzantine")
-	css := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_byzantine_test", newMockTickerFunc(false), newCounter)
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_byzantine_test", newMockTickerFunc(false), newCounter)
+	defer cleanup()
 
 	// give the byzantine validator a normal ticker
 	ticker := NewTimeoutTicker()
diff --git a/consensus/common_test.go b/consensus/common_test.go
index ec24704ac..30c1e4b1f 100644
--- a/consensus/common_test.go
+++ b/consensus/common_test.go
@@ -37,8 +37,12 @@ const (
 	testSubscriber = "test-client"
 )
 
+// A cleanupFunc cleans up any config / test files created for a particular test.
+type cleanupFunc func()
+
 // genesis, chain_id, priv_val
 var config *cfg.Config // NOTE: must be reset for each _test.go file
+var consensusReplayConfig *cfg.Config
 var ensureTimeout = time.Millisecond * 100
 
 func ensureDir(dir string, mode os.FileMode) {
@@ -248,6 +252,7 @@ func subscribeToVoter(cs *ConsensusState, addr []byte) chan interface{} {
 // consensus states
 
 func newConsensusState(state sm.State, pv types.PrivValidator, app abci.Application) *ConsensusState {
+	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("consensus_state_test")
 	return newConsensusStateWithConfig(config, state, pv, app)
 }
 
@@ -406,7 +411,7 @@ func ensureNewRound(roundCh <-chan interface{}, height int64, round int) {
 }
 
 func ensureNewTimeout(timeoutCh <-chan interface{}, height int64, round int, timeout int64) {
-	timeoutDuration := time.Duration(timeout*3) * time.Nanosecond
+	timeoutDuration := time.Duration(timeout*5) * time.Nanosecond
 	ensureNewEvent(timeoutCh, height, round, timeoutDuration,
 		"Timeout expired while waiting for NewTimeout event")
 }
@@ -560,14 +565,17 @@ func consensusLogger() log.Logger {
 	}).With("module", "consensus")
 }
 
-func randConsensusNet(nValidators int, testName string, tickerFunc func() TimeoutTicker, appFunc func() abci.Application, configOpts ...func(*cfg.Config)) []*ConsensusState {
+func randConsensusNet(nValidators int, testName string, tickerFunc func() TimeoutTicker,
+	appFunc func() abci.Application, configOpts ...func(*cfg.Config)) ([]*ConsensusState, cleanupFunc) {
 	genDoc, privVals := randGenesisDoc(nValidators, false, 30)
 	css := make([]*ConsensusState, nValidators)
 	logger := consensusLogger()
+	configRootDirs := make([]string, 0, nValidators)
 	for i := 0; i < nValidators; i++ {
 		stateDB := dbm.NewMemDB() // each state needs its own db
 		state, _ := sm.LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisDoc(stateDB, genDoc)
 		thisConfig := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", testName, i))
+		configRootDirs = append(configRootDirs, thisConfig.RootDir)
 		for _, opt := range configOpts {
 			opt(thisConfig)
 		}
@@ -580,18 +588,26 @@ func randConsensusNet(nValidators int, testName string, tickerFunc func() Timeou
 		css[i].SetTimeoutTicker(tickerFunc())
 		css[i].SetLogger(logger.With("validator", i, "module", "consensus"))
 	}
-	return css
+	return css, func() {
+		for _, dir := range configRootDirs {
+			os.RemoveAll(dir)
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 // nPeers = nValidators + nNotValidator
-func randConsensusNetWithPeers(nValidators, nPeers int, testName string, tickerFunc func() TimeoutTicker, appFunc func() abci.Application) []*ConsensusState {
+func randConsensusNetWithPeers(nValidators, nPeers int, testName string, tickerFunc func() TimeoutTicker,
+	appFunc func() abci.Application) ([]*ConsensusState, cleanupFunc) {
+
 	genDoc, privVals := randGenesisDoc(nValidators, false, testMinPower)
 	css := make([]*ConsensusState, nPeers)
 	logger := consensusLogger()
+	configRootDirs := make([]string, 0, nPeers)
 	for i := 0; i < nPeers; i++ {
 		stateDB := dbm.NewMemDB() // each state needs its own db
 		state, _ := sm.LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisDoc(stateDB, genDoc)
 		thisConfig := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", testName, i))
+		configRootDirs = append(configRootDirs, thisConfig.RootDir)
 		ensureDir(filepath.Dir(thisConfig.Consensus.WalFile()), 0700) // dir for wal
 		var privVal types.PrivValidator
 		if i < nValidators {
@@ -617,7 +633,11 @@ func randConsensusNetWithPeers(nValidators, nPeers int, testName string, tickerF
 		css[i].SetTimeoutTicker(tickerFunc())
 		css[i].SetLogger(logger.With("validator", i, "module", "consensus"))
 	}
-	return css
+	return css, func() {
+		for _, dir := range configRootDirs {
+			os.RemoveAll(dir)
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func getSwitchIndex(switches []*p2p.Switch, peer p2p.Peer) int {
@@ -713,6 +733,9 @@ func newCounter() abci.Application {
 }
 
 func newPersistentKVStore() abci.Application {
-	dir, _ := ioutil.TempDir("/tmp", "persistent-kvstore")
+	dir, err := ioutil.TempDir("", "persistent-kvstore")
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
 	return kvstore.NewPersistentKVStoreApplication(dir)
 }
diff --git a/consensus/mempool_test.go b/consensus/mempool_test.go
index bb4bf6eb9..cfbe40efd 100644
--- a/consensus/mempool_test.go
+++ b/consensus/mempool_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package consensus
 import (
 	"encoding/binary"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -14,10 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-func init() {
-	config = ResetConfig("consensus_mempool_test")
-}
-
 // for testing
 func assertMempool(txn txNotifier) sm.Mempool {
 	return txn.(sm.Mempool)
@@ -25,6 +22,7 @@ func assertMempool(txn txNotifier) sm.Mempool {
 
 func TestMempoolNoProgressUntilTxsAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 	config := ResetConfig("consensus_mempool_txs_available_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.Consensus.CreateEmptyBlocks = false
 	state, privVals := randGenesisState(1, false, 10)
 	cs := newConsensusStateWithConfig(config, state, privVals[0], NewCounterApplication())
@@ -43,6 +41,7 @@ func TestMempoolNoProgressUntilTxsAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMempoolProgressAfterCreateEmptyBlocksInterval(t *testing.T) {
 	config := ResetConfig("consensus_mempool_txs_available_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.Consensus.CreateEmptyBlocksInterval = ensureTimeout
 	state, privVals := randGenesisState(1, false, 10)
 	cs := newConsensusStateWithConfig(config, state, privVals[0], NewCounterApplication())
@@ -58,6 +57,7 @@ func TestMempoolProgressAfterCreateEmptyBlocksInterval(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMempoolProgressInHigherRound(t *testing.T) {
 	config := ResetConfig("consensus_mempool_txs_available_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.Consensus.CreateEmptyBlocks = false
 	state, privVals := randGenesisState(1, false, 10)
 	cs := newConsensusStateWithConfig(config, state, privVals[0], NewCounterApplication())
diff --git a/consensus/reactor_test.go b/consensus/reactor_test.go
index d35eaf3c0..473c9d792 100644
--- a/consensus/reactor_test.go
+++ b/consensus/reactor_test.go
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-func init() {
-	config = ResetConfig("consensus_reactor_test")
-}
-
 //----------------------------------------------
 // in-process testnets
 
@@ -86,7 +82,8 @@ func stopConsensusNet(logger log.Logger, reactors []*ConsensusReactor, eventBuse
 // Ensure a testnet makes blocks
 func TestReactorBasic(t *testing.T) {
 	N := 4
-	css := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	defer cleanup()
 	reactors, eventChans, eventBuses := startConsensusNet(t, css, N)
 	defer stopConsensusNet(log.TestingLogger(), reactors, eventBuses)
 	// wait till everyone makes the first new block
@@ -116,6 +113,7 @@ func TestReactorWithEvidence(t *testing.T) {
 		stateDB := dbm.NewMemDB() // each state needs its own db
 		state, _ := sm.LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisDoc(stateDB, genDoc)
 		thisConfig := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", testName, i))
+		defer os.RemoveAll(thisConfig.RootDir)
 		ensureDir(path.Dir(thisConfig.Consensus.WalFile()), 0700) // dir for wal
 		app := appFunc()
 		vals := types.TM2PB.ValidatorUpdates(state.Validators)
@@ -218,10 +216,11 @@ func (m *mockEvidencePool) IsCommitted(types.Evidence) bool { return false }
 // Ensure a testnet makes blocks when there are txs
 func TestReactorCreatesBlockWhenEmptyBlocksFalse(t *testing.T) {
 	N := 4
-	css := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter,
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter,
 		func(c *cfg.Config) {
 			c.Consensus.CreateEmptyBlocks = false
 		})
+	defer cleanup()
 	reactors, eventChans, eventBuses := startConsensusNet(t, css, N)
 	defer stopConsensusNet(log.TestingLogger(), reactors, eventBuses)
 
@@ -239,7 +238,8 @@ func TestReactorCreatesBlockWhenEmptyBlocksFalse(t *testing.T) {
 // Test we record stats about votes and block parts from other peers.
 func TestReactorRecordsVotesAndBlockParts(t *testing.T) {
 	N := 4
-	css := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newCounter)
+	defer cleanup()
 	reactors, eventChans, eventBuses := startConsensusNet(t, css, N)
 	defer stopConsensusNet(log.TestingLogger(), reactors, eventBuses)
 
@@ -263,7 +263,8 @@ func TestReactorRecordsVotesAndBlockParts(t *testing.T) {
 func TestReactorVotingPowerChange(t *testing.T) {
 	nVals := 4
 	logger := log.TestingLogger()
-	css := randConsensusNet(nVals, "consensus_voting_power_changes_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newPersistentKVStore)
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(nVals, "consensus_voting_power_changes_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newPersistentKVStore)
+	defer cleanup()
 	reactors, eventChans, eventBuses := startConsensusNet(t, css, nVals)
 	defer stopConsensusNet(logger, reactors, eventBuses)
 
@@ -324,8 +325,8 @@ func TestReactorVotingPowerChange(t *testing.T) {
 func TestReactorValidatorSetChanges(t *testing.T) {
 	nPeers := 7
 	nVals := 4
-	css := randConsensusNetWithPeers(nVals, nPeers, "consensus_val_set_changes_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newPersistentKVStore)
-
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNetWithPeers(nVals, nPeers, "consensus_val_set_changes_test", newMockTickerFunc(true), newPersistentKVStore)
+	defer cleanup()
 	logger := log.TestingLogger()
 
 	reactors, eventChans, eventBuses := startConsensusNet(t, css, nPeers)
@@ -422,7 +423,8 @@ func TestReactorValidatorSetChanges(t *testing.T) {
 // Check we can make blocks with skip_timeout_commit=false
 func TestReactorWithTimeoutCommit(t *testing.T) {
 	N := 4
-	css := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_with_timeout_commit_test", newMockTickerFunc(false), newCounter)
+	css, cleanup := randConsensusNet(N, "consensus_reactor_with_timeout_commit_test", newMockTickerFunc(false), newCounter)
+	defer cleanup()
 	// override default SkipTimeoutCommit == true for tests
 	for i := 0; i < N; i++ {
 		css[i].config.SkipTimeoutCommit = false
diff --git a/consensus/replay_test.go b/consensus/replay_test.go
index 297c13c3b..3472fc4bb 100644
--- a/consensus/replay_test.go
+++ b/consensus/replay_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"os"
 	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -30,10 +31,19 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-var consensusReplayConfig *cfg.Config
-
-func init() {
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	config = ResetConfig("consensus_reactor_test")
 	consensusReplayConfig = ResetConfig("consensus_replay_test")
+	configStateTest := ResetConfig("consensus_state_test")
+	configMempoolTest := ResetConfig("consensus_mempool_test")
+	configByzantineTest := ResetConfig("consensus_byzantine_test")
+	code := m.Run()
+	os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+	os.RemoveAll(consensusReplayConfig.RootDir)
+	os.RemoveAll(configStateTest.RootDir)
+	os.RemoveAll(configMempoolTest.RootDir)
+	os.RemoveAll(configByzantineTest.RootDir)
+	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
 // These tests ensure we can always recover from failure at any part of the consensus process.
@@ -51,7 +61,8 @@ func init() {
 // and which ones we need the wal for - then we'd also be able to only flush the
 // wal writer when we need to, instead of with every message.
 
-func startNewConsensusStateAndWaitForBlock(t *testing.T, lastBlockHeight int64, blockDB dbm.DB, stateDB dbm.DB) {
+func startNewConsensusStateAndWaitForBlock(t *testing.T, consensusReplayConfig *cfg.Config,
+	lastBlockHeight int64, blockDB dbm.DB, stateDB dbm.DB) {
 	logger := log.TestingLogger()
 	state, _ := sm.LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisFile(stateDB, consensusReplayConfig.GenesisFile())
 	privValidator := loadPrivValidator(consensusReplayConfig)
@@ -59,7 +70,6 @@ func startNewConsensusStateAndWaitForBlock(t *testing.T, lastBlockHeight int64,
 	cs.SetLogger(logger)
 
 	bytes, _ := ioutil.ReadFile(cs.config.WalFile())
-	// fmt.Printf("====== WAL: \n\r%s\n", bytes)
 	t.Logf("====== WAL: \n\r%X\n", bytes)
 
 	err := cs.Start()
@@ -110,21 +120,22 @@ func TestWALCrash(t *testing.T) {
 			3},
 	}
 
-	for _, tc := range testCases {
+	for i, tc := range testCases {
+		consensusReplayConfig := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", t.Name(), i))
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			crashWALandCheckLiveness(t, tc.initFn, tc.heightToStop)
+			crashWALandCheckLiveness(t, consensusReplayConfig, tc.initFn, tc.heightToStop)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
-func crashWALandCheckLiveness(t *testing.T, initFn func(dbm.DB, *ConsensusState, context.Context), heightToStop int64) {
+func crashWALandCheckLiveness(t *testing.T, consensusReplayConfig *cfg.Config,
+	initFn func(dbm.DB, *ConsensusState, context.Context), heightToStop int64) {
 	walPaniced := make(chan error)
 	crashingWal := &crashingWAL{panicCh: walPaniced, heightToStop: heightToStop}
 
 	i := 1
 LOOP:
 	for {
-		// fmt.Printf("====== LOOP %d\n", i)
 		t.Logf("====== LOOP %d\n", i)
 
 		// create consensus state from a clean slate
@@ -142,6 +153,7 @@ LOOP:
 
 		// clean up WAL file from the previous iteration
 		walFile := cs.config.WalFile()
+		ensureDir(filepath.Dir(walFile), 0700)
 		os.Remove(walFile)
 
 		// set crashing WAL
@@ -163,7 +175,7 @@ LOOP:
 			t.Logf("WAL paniced: %v", err)
 
 			// make sure we can make blocks after a crash
-			startNewConsensusStateAndWaitForBlock(t, cs.Height, blockDB, stateDB)
+			startNewConsensusStateAndWaitForBlock(t, consensusReplayConfig, cs.Height, blockDB, stateDB)
 
 			// stop consensus state and transactions sender (initFn)
 			cs.Stop()
@@ -269,29 +281,37 @@ var modes = []uint{0, 1, 2}
 
 // Sync from scratch
 func TestHandshakeReplayAll(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, m := range modes {
-		testHandshakeReplay(t, 0, m)
+	for i, m := range modes {
+		config := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%v", t.Name(), i))
+		defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+		testHandshakeReplay(t, config, 0, m)
 	}
 }
 
 // Sync many, not from scratch
 func TestHandshakeReplaySome(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, m := range modes {
-		testHandshakeReplay(t, 1, m)
+	for i, m := range modes {
+		config := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%v", t.Name(), i))
+		defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+		testHandshakeReplay(t, config, 1, m)
 	}
 }
 
 // Sync from lagging by one
 func TestHandshakeReplayOne(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, m := range modes {
-		testHandshakeReplay(t, NUM_BLOCKS-1, m)
+	for i, m := range modes {
+		config := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%v", t.Name(), i))
+		defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+		testHandshakeReplay(t, config, NUM_BLOCKS-1, m)
 	}
 }
 
 // Sync from caught up
 func TestHandshakeReplayNone(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, m := range modes {
-		testHandshakeReplay(t, NUM_BLOCKS, m)
+	for i, m := range modes {
+		config := ResetConfig(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%v", t.Name(), i))
+		defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+		testHandshakeReplay(t, config, NUM_BLOCKS, m)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -311,10 +331,8 @@ func tempWALWithData(data []byte) string {
 }
 
 // Make some blocks. Start a fresh app and apply nBlocks blocks. Then restart the app and sync it up with the remaining blocks
-func testHandshakeReplay(t *testing.T, nBlocks int, mode uint) {
-	config := ResetConfig("proxy_test_")
-
-	walBody, err := WALWithNBlocks(NUM_BLOCKS)
+func testHandshakeReplay(t *testing.T, config *cfg.Config, nBlocks int, mode uint) {
+	walBody, err := WALWithNBlocks(t, NUM_BLOCKS)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	walFile := tempWALWithData(walBody)
 	config.Consensus.SetWalFile(walFile)
@@ -631,6 +649,7 @@ func TestInitChainUpdateValidators(t *testing.T) {
 	clientCreator := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
 
 	config := ResetConfig("proxy_test_")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	privVal := privval.LoadFilePV(config.PrivValidatorKeyFile(), config.PrivValidatorStateFile())
 	stateDB, state, store := stateAndStore(config, privVal.GetPubKey(), 0x0)
 
diff --git a/consensus/state_test.go b/consensus/state_test.go
index e90035737..69de825e7 100644
--- a/consensus/state_test.go
+++ b/consensus/state_test.go
@@ -18,10 +18,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-func init() {
-	config = ResetConfig("consensus_state_test")
-}
-
 /*
 
 ProposeSuite
diff --git a/consensus/types/height_vote_set_test.go b/consensus/types/height_vote_set_test.go
index afb741626..42b5333a1 100644
--- a/consensus/types/height_vote_set_test.go
+++ b/consensus/types/height_vote_set_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"testing"
 
 	cfg "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/config"
@@ -11,8 +12,11 @@ import (
 
 var config *cfg.Config // NOTE: must be reset for each _test.go file
 
-func init() {
+func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	config = cfg.ResetTestRoot("consensus_height_vote_set_test")
+	code := m.Run()
+	os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
+	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
 func TestPeerCatchupRounds(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/consensus/wal_generator.go b/consensus/wal_generator.go
index 83861d3ec..8ed041c6b 100644
--- a/consensus/wal_generator.go
+++ b/consensus/wal_generator.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strings"
+	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ import (
 // stripped down version of node (proxy app, event bus, consensus state) with a
 // persistent kvstore application and special consensus wal instance
 // (byteBufferWAL) and waits until numBlocks are created. If the node fails to produce given numBlocks, it returns an error.
-func WALGenerateNBlocks(wr io.Writer, numBlocks int) (err error) {
-	config := getConfig()
+func WALGenerateNBlocks(t *testing.T, wr io.Writer, numBlocks int) (err error) {
+	config := getConfig(t)
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 
 	app := kvstore.NewPersistentKVStoreApplication(filepath.Join(config.DBDir(), "wal_generator"))
 
@@ -102,11 +103,11 @@ func WALGenerateNBlocks(wr io.Writer, numBlocks int) (err error) {
 }
 
 //WALWithNBlocks returns a WAL content with numBlocks.
-func WALWithNBlocks(numBlocks int) (data []byte, err error) {
+func WALWithNBlocks(t *testing.T, numBlocks int) (data []byte, err error) {
 	var b bytes.Buffer
 	wr := bufio.NewWriter(&b)
 
-	if err := WALGenerateNBlocks(wr, numBlocks); err != nil {
+	if err := WALGenerateNBlocks(t, wr, numBlocks); err != nil {
 		return []byte{}, err
 	}
 
@@ -114,18 +115,6 @@ func WALWithNBlocks(numBlocks int) (data []byte, err error) {
 	return b.Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-// f**ing long, but unique for each test
-func makePathname() string {
-	// get path
-	p, err := os.Getwd()
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	// fmt.Println(p)
-	sep := string(filepath.Separator)
-	return strings.Replace(p, sep, "_", -1)
-}
-
 func randPort() int {
 	// returns between base and base + spread
 	base, spread := 20000, 20000
@@ -140,9 +129,8 @@ func makeAddrs() (string, string, string) {
 }
 
 // getConfig returns a config for test cases
-func getConfig() *cfg.Config {
-	pathname := makePathname()
-	c := cfg.ResetTestRoot(fmt.Sprintf("%s_%d", pathname, cmn.RandInt()))
+func getConfig(t *testing.T) *cfg.Config {
+	c := cfg.ResetTestRoot(t.Name())
 
 	// and we use random ports to run in parallel
 	tm, rpc, grpc := makeAddrs()
diff --git a/consensus/wal_test.go b/consensus/wal_test.go
index 7ec338345..e1fb9ece0 100644
--- a/consensus/wal_test.go
+++ b/consensus/wal_test.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func TestWALTruncate(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//60 block's size nearly 70K, greater than group's headBuf size(4096 * 10), when headBuf is full, truncate content will Flush to the file.
 	//at this time, RotateFile is called, truncate content exist in each file.
-	err = WALGenerateNBlocks(wal.Group(), 60)
+	err = WALGenerateNBlocks(t, wal.Group(), 60)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(1 * time.Millisecond) //wait groupCheckDuration, make sure RotateFile run
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func TestWALWritePanicsIfMsgIsTooBig(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWALSearchForEndHeight(t *testing.T) {
-	walBody, err := WALWithNBlocks(6)
+	walBody, err := WALWithNBlocks(t, 6)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/lite/client/provider_test.go b/lite/client/provider_test.go
index d8704a52e..015b0f3de 100644
--- a/lite/client/provider_test.go
+++ b/lite/client/provider_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ import (
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
-	node := rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
+	node, cleanup := rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
+	defer cleanup()
 
 	code := m.Run()
 
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ func TestProvider(t *testing.T) {
 	assert, require := assert.New(t), require.New(t)
 
 	cfg := rpctest.GetConfig()
+	defer os.RemoveAll(cfg.RootDir)
 	rpcAddr := cfg.RPC.ListenAddress
 	genDoc, err := types.GenesisDocFromFile(cfg.GenesisFile())
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/lite/proxy/query_test.go b/lite/proxy/query_test.go
index 9547f7713..7a9882595 100644
--- a/lite/proxy/query_test.go
+++ b/lite/proxy/query_test.go
@@ -27,13 +27,15 @@ var waitForEventTimeout = 5 * time.Second
 // TODO fix tests!!
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
+	var cleanup func()
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
-	node = rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
+	node, cleanup = rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
 
 	code := m.Run()
 
 	node.Stop()
 	node.Wait()
+	cleanup()
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
diff --git a/mempool/bench_test.go b/mempool/bench_test.go
index 68b033caa..8936f8dfb 100644
--- a/mempool/bench_test.go
+++ b/mempool/bench_test.go
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import (
 func BenchmarkReap(b *testing.B) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 
 	size := 10000
 	for i := 0; i < size; i++ {
diff --git a/mempool/mempool_test.go b/mempool/mempool_test.go
index dd624262d..5e3c71eb2 100644
--- a/mempool/mempool_test.go
+++ b/mempool/mempool_test.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 )
 
-func newMempoolWithApp(cc proxy.ClientCreator) *Mempool {
+func newMempoolWithApp(cc proxy.ClientCreator) (*Mempool, func()) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("mempool_test")
 
 	appConnMem, _ := cc.NewABCIClient()
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func newMempoolWithApp(cc proxy.ClientCreator) *Mempool {
 	}
 	mempool := NewMempool(config.Mempool, appConnMem, 0)
 	mempool.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger())
-	return mempool
+	return mempool, func() { os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir) }
 }
 
 func ensureNoFire(t *testing.T, ch <-chan struct{}, timeoutMS int) {
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ func checkTxs(t *testing.T, mempool *Mempool, count int) types.Txs {
 func TestReapMaxBytesMaxGas(t *testing.T) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 
 	// Ensure gas calculation behaves as expected
 	checkTxs(t, mempool, 1)
@@ -130,7 +131,8 @@ func TestReapMaxBytesMaxGas(t *testing.T) {
 func TestMempoolFilters(t *testing.T) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 	emptyTxArr := []types.Tx{[]byte{}}
 
 	nopPreFilter := func(tx types.Tx) error { return nil }
@@ -168,7 +170,8 @@ func TestMempoolFilters(t *testing.T) {
 func TestMempoolUpdateAddsTxsToCache(t *testing.T) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 	mempool.Update(1, []types.Tx{[]byte{0x01}}, nil, nil)
 	err := mempool.CheckTx([]byte{0x01}, nil)
 	if assert.Error(t, err) {
@@ -179,7 +182,8 @@ func TestMempoolUpdateAddsTxsToCache(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTxsAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 	mempool.EnableTxsAvailable()
 
 	timeoutMS := 500
@@ -224,7 +228,9 @@ func TestSerialReap(t *testing.T) {
 	app.SetOption(abci.RequestSetOption{Key: "serial", Value: "on"})
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
 
-	mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
+
 	appConnCon, _ := cc.NewABCIClient()
 	appConnCon.SetLogger(log.TestingLogger().With("module", "abci-client", "connection", "consensus"))
 	err := appConnCon.Start()
@@ -364,6 +370,7 @@ func TestMempoolCloseWAL(t *testing.T) {
 	// 3. Create the mempool
 	wcfg := cfg.DefaultMempoolConfig()
 	wcfg.RootDir = rootDir
+	defer os.RemoveAll(wcfg.RootDir)
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
 	appConnMem, _ := cc.NewABCIClient()
@@ -406,7 +413,8 @@ func txMessageSize(tx types.Tx) int {
 func TestMempoolMaxMsgSize(t *testing.T) {
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-	mempl := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	mempl, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+	defer cleanup()
 
 	testCases := []struct {
 		len int
diff --git a/mempool/reactor_test.go b/mempool/reactor_test.go
index ad9ad8b40..51d130187 100644
--- a/mempool/reactor_test.go
+++ b/mempool/reactor_test.go
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ func makeAndConnectMempoolReactors(config *cfg.Config, N int) []*MempoolReactor
 	for i := 0; i < N; i++ {
 		app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
 		cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(app)
-		mempool := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+		mempool, cleanup := newMempoolWithApp(cc)
+		defer cleanup()
 
 		reactors[i] = NewMempoolReactor(config.Mempool, mempool) // so we dont start the consensus states
 		reactors[i].SetLogger(logger.With("validator", i))
diff --git a/node/node_test.go b/node/node_test.go
index d7907e88a..e370e5f24 100644
--- a/node/node_test.go
+++ b/node/node_test.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import (
 
 func TestNodeStartStop(t *testing.T) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_node_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 
 	// create & start node
 	n, err := DefaultNewNode(config, log.TestingLogger())
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ func TestSplitAndTrimEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestNodeDelayedStart(t *testing.T) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_delayed_start_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	now := tmtime.Now()
 
 	// create & start node
@@ -104,6 +106,7 @@ func TestNodeDelayedStart(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestNodeSetAppVersion(t *testing.T) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_app_version_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 
 	// create & start node
 	n, err := DefaultNewNode(config, log.TestingLogger())
@@ -124,6 +127,7 @@ func TestNodeSetPrivValTCP(t *testing.T) {
 	addr := "tcp://" + testFreeAddr(t)
 
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_priv_val_tcp_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.BaseConfig.PrivValidatorListenAddr = addr
 
 	dialer := privval.DialTCPFn(addr, 100*time.Millisecond, ed25519.GenPrivKey())
@@ -153,6 +157,7 @@ func TestPrivValidatorListenAddrNoProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	addrNoPrefix := testFreeAddr(t)
 
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_priv_val_tcp_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.BaseConfig.PrivValidatorListenAddr = addrNoPrefix
 
 	_, err := DefaultNewNode(config, log.TestingLogger())
@@ -164,6 +169,7 @@ func TestNodeSetPrivValIPC(t *testing.T) {
 	defer os.Remove(tmpfile) // clean up
 
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_priv_val_tcp_test")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	config.BaseConfig.PrivValidatorListenAddr = "unix://" + tmpfile
 
 	dialer := privval.DialUnixFn(tmpfile)
@@ -200,6 +206,7 @@ func testFreeAddr(t *testing.T) string {
 // mempool and evidence pool and validate it.
 func TestCreateProposalBlock(t *testing.T) {
 	config := cfg.ResetTestRoot("node_create_proposal")
+	defer os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir)
 	cc := proxy.NewLocalClientCreator(kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication())
 	proxyApp := proxy.NewAppConns(cc)
 	err := proxyApp.Start()
diff --git a/rpc/client/main_test.go b/rpc/client/main_test.go
index 1e911bbe6..6961d6507 100644
--- a/rpc/client/main_test.go
+++ b/rpc/client/main_test.go
@@ -13,12 +13,14 @@ var node *nm.Node
 
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	// start a tendermint node (and kvstore) in the background to test against
+	var cleanup func()
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
-	node = rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
+	node, cleanup = rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
 	code := m.Run()
 
 	// and shut down proper at the end
 	node.Stop()
 	node.Wait()
+	cleanup()
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
diff --git a/rpc/grpc/grpc_test.go b/rpc/grpc/grpc_test.go
index ff05c835f..3a9994989 100644
--- a/rpc/grpc/grpc_test.go
+++ b/rpc/grpc/grpc_test.go
@@ -15,12 +15,13 @@ import (
 func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	// start a tendermint node in the background to test against
 	app := kvstore.NewKVStoreApplication()
-	node := rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
+	node, cleanup := rpctest.StartTendermint(app)
 	code := m.Run()
 
 	// and shut down proper at the end
 	node.Stop()
 	node.Wait()
+	cleanup()
 	os.Exit(code)
 }
 
diff --git a/rpc/test/helpers.go b/rpc/test/helpers.go
index 67439b1da..50db418a2 100644
--- a/rpc/test/helpers.go
+++ b/rpc/test/helpers.go
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ func GetGRPCClient() core_grpc.BroadcastAPIClient {
 }
 
 // StartTendermint starts a test tendermint server in a go routine and returns when it is initialized
-func StartTendermint(app abci.Application) *nm.Node {
-	node := NewTendermint(app)
+func StartTendermint(app abci.Application) (*nm.Node, func()) {
+	node, cleanup := NewTendermint(app)
 	err := node.Start()
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
@@ -113,11 +113,11 @@ func StartTendermint(app abci.Application) *nm.Node {
 
 	fmt.Println("Tendermint running!")
 
-	return node
+	return node, cleanup
 }
 
 // NewTendermint creates a new tendermint server and sleeps forever
-func NewTendermint(app abci.Application) *nm.Node {
+func NewTendermint(app abci.Application) (*nm.Node, func()) {
 	// Create & start node
 	config := GetConfig()
 	logger := log.NewTMLogger(log.NewSyncWriter(os.Stdout))
@@ -138,5 +138,5 @@ func NewTendermint(app abci.Application) *nm.Node {
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	return node
+	return node, func() { os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir) }
 }
diff --git a/state/state_test.go b/state/state_test.go
index 6d5f8f46b..bdec63a68 100644
--- a/state/state_test.go
+++ b/state/state_test.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"math/big"
+	"os"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ func setupTestCase(t *testing.T) (func(t *testing.T), dbm.DB, State) {
 	state, err := LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisFile(stateDB, config.GenesisFile())
 	assert.NoError(t, err, "expected no error on LoadStateFromDBOrGenesisFile")
 
-	tearDown := func(t *testing.T) {}
+	tearDown := func(t *testing.T) { os.RemoveAll(config.RootDir) }
 
 	return tearDown, stateDB, state
 }
@@ -802,10 +803,10 @@ func TestLargeGenesisValidator(t *testing.T) {
 func TestStoreLoadValidatorsIncrementsProposerPriority(t *testing.T) {
 	const valSetSize = 2
 	tearDown, stateDB, state := setupTestCase(t)
+	defer tearDown(t)
 	state.Validators = genValSet(valSetSize)
 	state.NextValidators = state.Validators.CopyIncrementProposerPriority(1)
 	SaveState(stateDB, state)
-	defer tearDown(t)
 
 	nextHeight := state.LastBlockHeight + 1
 
@@ -825,11 +826,11 @@ func TestStoreLoadValidatorsIncrementsProposerPriority(t *testing.T) {
 func TestManyValidatorChangesSaveLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	const valSetSize = 7
 	tearDown, stateDB, state := setupTestCase(t)
+	defer tearDown(t)
 	require.Equal(t, int64(0), state.LastBlockHeight)
 	state.Validators = genValSet(valSetSize)
 	state.NextValidators = state.Validators.CopyIncrementProposerPriority(1)
 	SaveState(stateDB, state)
-	defer tearDown(t)
 
 	_, valOld := state.Validators.GetByIndex(0)
 	var pubkeyOld = valOld.PubKey