diff --git a/pybis/src/python/tests/conftest.py b/pybis/src/python/tests/conftest.py
index 21790a31f970d99fdb840b76d3ed77ad794bd9d8..3f705cb916b69ea8c849c1c1860aefa077a8d5ef 100644
--- a/pybis/src/python/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/pybis/src/python/tests/conftest.py
@@ -3,13 +3,17 @@ import time
 
 from pybis import Openbis
 
-openbis_url = 'https://localhost:8443'
-admin_username = 'admin'
-admin_password = 'changeit'
+openbis_url = 'http://localhost:20000'
+admin_username = 'openbis_test_js'
+admin_password = 'password'
 
 @pytest.yield_fixture(scope="module")
 def openbis_instance():
-    instance = Openbis(url=openbis_url, verify_certificates=False)
+    instance = Openbis(
+        url=openbis_url, 
+        verify_certificates=False, 
+        allow_http_but_do_not_use_this_in_production_and_only_within_safe_networks=True
+    )
     print("\nLOGGING IN...")
     instance.login(admin_username, admin_password)
     yield instance
@@ -19,10 +23,20 @@ def openbis_instance():
 
 @pytest.yield_fixture(scope="module")
 def space():
-    o = Openbis(url=openbis_url, verify_certificates=False)
+    o = Openbis(
+        url=openbis_url, 
+        verify_certificates=False, 
+        allow_http_but_do_not_use_this_in_production_and_only_within_safe_networks=True
+    )
     o.login(admin_username, admin_password)
 
-    space_exists = o.get_space(code='DEFAULT')
+    # create a space
+    timestamp = time.strftime('%a_%y%m%d_%H%M%S').upper()
+    space_name = 'test_space_' + timestamp
+    space = o.new_space(code=space_name)
+    space.save()
+    space_exists = o.get_space(code=space_name)
     yield space_exists
 
+    # teardown
     o.logout()