diff --git a/test/dotnet.Tests/CommandTests/Run/GivenDotnetRunThrowsAParseError.cs b/test/dotnet.Tests/CommandTests/Run/GivenDotnetRunThrowsAParseError.cs
index 035c7e7b1444..5fbec527dfd3 100644
--- a/test/dotnet.Tests/CommandTests/Run/GivenDotnetRunThrowsAParseError.cs
+++ b/test/dotnet.Tests/CommandTests/Run/GivenDotnetRunThrowsAParseError.cs
@@ -12,9 +12,12 @@ public GivenDotnetRunThrowsAParseError(ITestOutputHelper log) : base(log)
         [Fact]
         public void ItFailsWithAnAppropriateErrorMessage()
         {
+            // Use a dedicated empty directory because file-based program support means that dotnet run will
+            //  pick up stray .cs files from other tests.
+            var emptyDir = TestAssetsManager.CreateTestDirectory().Path;
+
             new DotnetCommand(Log, "run")
-                // executing in a known path, with no project, is a sure way to get run to throw a parse error
-                .WithWorkingDirectory(Path.GetTempPath())
+                .WithWorkingDirectory(emptyDir)
                 .Execute("--", "1")
                 .Should().Fail()
                 .And.HaveStdErrContainingOnce("Couldn't find a project to run.");