diff --git a/tests/cli/config_test.py b/tests/cli/config_test.py
index e9d765da0..d2786c6f1 100644
--- a/tests/cli/config_test.py
+++ b/tests/cli/config_test.py
@@ -476,8 +476,10 @@ def test_obtain_reward_fn_file_not_found(self):
   def test_obtain_reward_fn_absolute_path_outside_project(self):
     """Tests loading a reward function from an absolute FILE path outside the project root."""
     hp = self.initialize_config([])
-    tmp_dir = self.create_tempdir()
-    tmp_dir_str = tmp_dir.full_path
+    try:
+      tmp_dir_str = self.create_tempdir().full_path
+    except Exception:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
+      tmp_dir_str = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory().name
     external_root = Path(tmp_dir_str) / "some_other_project"
     external_root.mkdir()
     external_module_file = external_root / "external_reward.py"