diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/tests/test_state_machine.py b/selfdrive/controls/tests/test_state_machine.py
index bdeed9fb7a..a05934ca90 100755
--- a/selfdrive/controls/tests/test_state_machine.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/tests/test_state_machine.py
@@ -1,15 +1,17 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 import unittest
+from unittest import mock
 
 from cereal import car, log
 from openpilot.common.realtime import DT_CTRL
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car.car_helpers import interfaces
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.controlsd import Controls, SOFT_DISABLE_TIME
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.events import Events, ET, Alert, Priority, AlertSize, AlertStatus, VisualAlert, \
-                                          AudibleAlert, EVENTS
+                                                    AudibleAlert, EVENTS as _EVENTS
 
 State = log.ControlsState.OpenpilotState
 
+EVENTS = _EVENTS.copy()
 # The event types that maintain the current state
 MAINTAIN_STATES = {State.enabled: (None,), State.disabled: (None,), State.softDisabling: (ET.SOFT_DISABLE,),
                    State.preEnabled: (ET.PRE_ENABLE,), State.overriding: (ET.OVERRIDE_LATERAL, ET.OVERRIDE_LONGITUDINAL)}
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ def make_event(event_types):
   return 0
 
 
+@mock.patch("openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.events.EVENTS", EVENTS)
 class TestStateMachine(unittest.TestCase):
 
   def setUp(self):