diff --git a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
index 77b1948eaf..5585d1e402 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from isctest.vars.dirs import SYSTEM_TEST_DIR_GIT_PATH
 
 isctest.log.init_conftest_logger()
 isctest.log.avoid_duplicated_logs()
+isctest.vars.init_vars()
 
 # ----------------- Older pytest / xdist compatibility -------------------
 # As of 2023-01-11, the minimal supported pytest / xdist versions are
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/isctest/vars/__init__.py b/bin/tests/system/isctest/vars/__init__.py
index d4e26a892f..7c06a247a2 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/isctest/vars/__init__.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/isctest/vars/__init__.py
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ from .openssl import parse_openssl_config
 from .. import log
 
 
-# env variable initialization
-parse_openssl_config(ALL["OPENSSL_CONF"])
+def init_vars():
+    """Initializes the environment variables."""
+    parse_openssl_config(ALL["OPENSSL_CONF"])
 
-os.environ.update(ALL)
-log.debug("setting following env vars: %s", ", ".join([str(key) for key in ALL]))
+    os.environ.update(ALL)
+    log.debug("setting following env vars: %s", ", ".join([str(key) for key in ALL]))