diff --git a/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py b/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
index c39feeab..85ae7694 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from numpy.testing import *
 from scikits.image import io
 from scikits.image.io import plugin
 
-from copy import copy
+from copy import deepcopy
 
 def read(fname, as_grey=False, dtype=None):
     assert fname == 'test.png'
@@ -18,11 +18,14 @@ def show(arr, plugin_arg=None):
     assert arr == [1, 2, 3]
     assert plugin_arg == (1, 2)
 
-class TestPlugin:
-    def setup(self):
-        self.backup_plugin_store = copy(plugin.plugin_store)
-        plugin.register('test', read=read, save=save, show=show)
+def setup_module(self):
+    self.backup_plugin_store = deepcopy(plugin.plugin_store)
+    plugin.register('test', read=read, save=save, show=show)
 
+def teardown_module(self):
+    plugin.plugin_store = self.backup_plugin_store
+
+class TestPlugin:
     def test_read(self):
         io.imread('test.png', as_grey=True, dtype='i4', plugin='test')
 
@@ -32,9 +35,5 @@ class TestPlugin:
     def test_show(self):
         io.imshow([1, 2, 3], plugin_arg=(1, 2), plugin='test')
 
-    def teardown(self):
-        plugin.plugin_store = self.backup_plugin_store
-
-
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     run_module_suite()