diff --git a/common/test/templates/theme-footer.html b/common/test/templates/theme-footer.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..94456aba2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/test/templates/theme-footer.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# intentionally left blank
diff --git a/common/test/templates/theme-google-analytics.html b/common/test/templates/theme-google-analytics.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..94456aba2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/test/templates/theme-google-analytics.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# intentionally left blank
diff --git a/common/test/templates/theme-head-extra.html b/common/test/templates/theme-head-extra.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..94456aba2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/test/templates/theme-head-extra.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# intentionally left blank
diff --git a/common/test/templates/theme-header.html b/common/test/templates/theme-header.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..94456aba2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/test/templates/theme-header.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# intentionally left blank
diff --git a/lms/envs/test.py b/lms/envs/test.py
index fc86bf985e..7e60fd6f33 100644
--- a/lms/envs/test.py
+++ b/lms/envs/test.py
@@ -318,6 +318,12 @@ MICROSITE_CONFIGURATION = {
 MICROSITE_ROOT_DIR = COMMON_ROOT / 'test' / 'test_microsites'
 FEATURES['USE_MICROSITES'] = True
 
+# add extra template directory for test-only templates
+MAKO_TEMPLATES['main'].extend([
+    COMMON_ROOT / 'test' / 'templates'
+])
+
+
 ######### LinkedIn ########
 LINKEDIN_API['COMPANY_ID'] = '0000000'