diff --git a/spec/spec_helper.rb b/spec/spec_helper.rb
index cb2e9ce..b992c73 100644
--- a/spec/spec_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ RSpec.configure do |config|
   end
 
   config.before(:example, truncate: true) do
-    DatabaseCleaner.strategy = :truncation
+    DatabaseCleaner.strategy = :truncation, { except: %w(achievements) }
   end
 
   config.before(:example) do
diff --git a/test/functional/genotypes_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/genotypes_controller_test.rb
index 3839c91..4bca6c8 100644
--- a/test/functional/genotypes_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/genotypes_controller_test.rb
@@ -42,8 +42,7 @@ class GenotypesControllerTest < ActionController::TestCase
         activate_authlogic
         @user = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
         UserSession.create(@user)
-        @publishing_award = FactoryGirl.
-          create(:achievement, award: "Published genotyping")
+        @publishing_award = Achievement.find_by!(award: 'Published genotyping')
       end
 
       should "see the upload form" do