diff --git a/packages/ember-testing/lib/helpers.js b/packages/ember-testing/lib/helpers.js
index 643dfad5192..9ab3c47bec7 100644
--- a/packages/ember-testing/lib/helpers.js
+++ b/packages/ember-testing/lib/helpers.js
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ function focus(el) {
 
 function visit(app, url) {
   var router = app.__container__.lookup('router:main');
+  router._setupLocation();
+  router.location.setURL(url);
 
   if (app._readinessDeferrals > 0) {
     router['initialURL'] = url;