diff --git a/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl b/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
index 04566d39d4..277916a539 100644
--- a/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
+++ b/tests/sqlite.ini.tmpl
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ RUN_MODE = prod
 
 [database]
 DB_TYPE = sqlite3
-PATH    = :memory:
+PATH    = tests/{{TEST_TYPE}}/gitea-{{TEST_TYPE}}-sqlite/gitea.db
+SQLITE_JOURNAL_MODE = MEMORY
 
 [indexer]
 REPO_INDEXER_ENABLED = true
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.go b/tests/test_utils.go
index d6516dd99a..cd52a4dd97 100644
--- a/tests/test_utils.go
+++ b/tests/test_utils.go
@@ -175,6 +175,9 @@ func InitTest(requireGitea bool) {
 				log.Fatal("db.Exec: CREATE SCHEMA: %v", err)
 			}
 		}
+
+	case setting.Database.Type.IsSQLite3():
+		setting.Database.Path = ":memory:"
 	}
 
 	routers.InitWebInstalled(graceful.GetManager().HammerContext())