diff --git a/tests/testapp/application.py b/tests/testapp/application.py
index af5f5b33..5848cfd1 100644
--- a/tests/testapp/application.py
+++ b/tests/testapp/application.py
@@ -23,10 +23,14 @@
 from optimizely import logger, optimizely
 from optimizely.helpers import enums
 
+# Create the flask app
 app = Flask(__name__)
-# Initialize CSRF protection
+
+# Set up CSRF protection
+app.config["SECRET_KEY"] = environ.get("CSRF_SECRET_KEY", "default_csrf_secret_key")
 csrf = CSRFProtect(app)
 
+# Read in the datafile
 datafile = open('datafile.json', 'r')
 datafile_content = datafile.read()
 datafile.close()