diff --git a/nipype/interfaces/base/tests/test_resource_monitor.py b/nipype/interfaces/base/tests/test_resource_monitor.py
index f82a82661d..d40ecbebde 100644
--- a/nipype/interfaces/base/tests/test_resource_monitor.py
+++ b/nipype/interfaces/base/tests/test_resource_monitor.py
@@ -18,10 +18,16 @@
 from ... import utility as niu
 
 # Try to enable the resource monitor
-config.enable_resource_monitor()
 run_profile = config.resource_monitor
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope="module")
+def use_resource_monitor():
+    config.enable_resource_monitor()
+    yield
+    config.disable_resource_monitor()
+
+
 class UseResourcesInputSpec(CommandLineInputSpec):
     mem_gb = traits.Float(
         desc='Number of GB of RAM to use', argstr='-g %f', mandatory=True)
@@ -51,7 +57,7 @@ class UseResources(CommandLine):
     os.getenv('CI_SKIP_TEST', False), reason='disabled in CI tests')
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("mem_gb,n_procs", [(0.5, 3), (2.2, 8), (0.8, 4),
                                             (1.5, 1)])
-def test_cmdline_profiling(tmpdir, mem_gb, n_procs):
+def test_cmdline_profiling(tmpdir, mem_gb, n_procs, use_resource_monitor):
     """
     Test runtime profiler correctly records workflow RAM/CPUs consumption
     of a CommandLine-derived interface
@@ -73,7 +79,7 @@ def test_cmdline_profiling(tmpdir, mem_gb, n_procs):
     True, reason='test disabled temporarily, until funcion profiling works')
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("mem_gb,n_procs", [(0.5, 3), (2.2, 8), (0.8, 4),
                                             (1.5, 1)])
-def test_function_profiling(tmpdir, mem_gb, n_procs):
+def test_function_profiling(tmpdir, mem_gb, n_procs, use_resource_monitor):
     """
     Test runtime profiler correctly records workflow RAM/CPUs consumption
     of a Function interface
diff --git a/nipype/utils/config.py b/nipype/utils/config.py
index e4e518960c..79c0bf6b51 100644
--- a/nipype/utils/config.py
+++ b/nipype/utils/config.py
@@ -291,6 +291,10 @@ def enable_resource_monitor(self):
         """Sets the resource monitor on"""
         self.resource_monitor = True
 
+    def disable_resource_monitor(self):
+        """Sets the resource monitor off"""
+        self.resource_monitor = False
+
     def get_display(self):
         """Returns the first display available"""