diff --git a/python/src/com/jetbrains/python/testing/TestRunnerService.java b/python/src/com/jetbrains/python/testing/TestRunnerService.java
index 32bcc26a1501..6f41b035cd9f 100644
--- a/python/src/com/jetbrains/python/testing/TestRunnerService.java
+++ b/python/src/com/jetbrains/python/testing/TestRunnerService.java
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public class TestRunnerService implements PersistentStateComponent<TestRunnerSer
   }
 
   public String getProjectConfiguration() {
-    return PROJECT_TEST_RUNNER;
+    return PROJECT_TEST_RUNNER.isEmpty() ? PythonTestConfigurationsModel.PYTHONS_UNITTEST_NAME : PROJECT_TEST_RUNNER;
   }
 
 }