diff --git a/helix-term/tests/integration/commands.rs b/helix-term/tests/integration/commands.rs
index 0d2e14fd..1ff7cc90 100644
--- a/helix-term/tests/integration/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/tests/integration/commands.rs
@@ -10,10 +10,12 @@ use super::*;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_write_quit_fail() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let file = helpers::new_readonly_tempfile()?;
+
     test_key_sequence(
         &mut Application::new(
             Args {
-                files: vec![(PathBuf::from("/foo"), Position::default())],
+                files: vec![(file.path().to_path_buf(), Position::default())],
                 ..Default::default()
             },
             Config::default(),
diff --git a/helix-term/tests/integration/helpers.rs b/helix-term/tests/integration/helpers.rs
index 706e1afb..3fe1934f 100644
--- a/helix-term/tests/integration/helpers.rs
+++ b/helix-term/tests/integration/helpers.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use crossterm::event::{Event, KeyEvent};
 use helix_core::{test, Selection, Transaction};
 use helix_term::{application::Application, args::Args, config::Config};
 use helix_view::{doc, input::parse_macro};
+use tempfile::NamedTempFile;
 use tokio_stream::wrappers::UnboundedReceiverStream;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -155,3 +156,14 @@ pub fn platform_line(input: &str) -> String {
 
     output
 }
+
+/// Creates a new temporary file that is set to read only. Useful for
+/// testing write failures.
+pub fn new_readonly_tempfile() -> anyhow::Result<NamedTempFile> {
+    let mut file = tempfile::NamedTempFile::new()?;
+    let metadata = file.as_file().metadata()?;
+    let mut perms = metadata.permissions();
+    perms.set_readonly(true);
+    file.as_file_mut().set_permissions(perms)?;
+    Ok(file)
+}
diff --git a/helix-term/tests/integration/write.rs b/helix-term/tests/integration/write.rs
index 06af9dd8..f3abbd91 100644
--- a/helix-term/tests/integration/write.rs
+++ b/helix-term/tests/integration/write.rs
@@ -75,10 +75,12 @@ async fn test_write_concurrent() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_write_fail_mod_flag() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let file = helpers::new_readonly_tempfile()?;
+
     test_key_sequences(
         &mut Application::new(
             Args {
-                files: vec![(PathBuf::from("/foo"), Position::default())],
+                files: vec![(file.path().to_path_buf(), Position::default())],
                 ..Default::default()
             },
             Config::default(),
@@ -116,6 +118,8 @@ async fn test_write_fail_mod_flag() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_write_fail_new_path() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let file = helpers::new_readonly_tempfile()?;
+
     test_key_sequences(
         &mut Application::new(Args::default(), Config::default())?,
         vec![
@@ -123,15 +127,21 @@ async fn test_write_fail_new_path() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                 None,
                 Some(&|app| {
                     let doc = doc!(app.editor);
-                    assert_eq!(None, app.editor.get_status());
+                    assert_ne!(
+                        Some(&Severity::Error),
+                        app.editor.get_status().map(|status| status.1)
+                    );
                     assert_eq!(None, doc.path());
                 }),
             ),
             (
-                Some(":w /foo<ret>"),
+                Some(&format!(":w {}<ret>", file.path().to_string_lossy())),
                 Some(&|app| {
                     let doc = doc!(app.editor);
-                    assert_eq!(&Severity::Error, app.editor.get_status().unwrap().1);
+                    assert_eq!(
+                        Some(&Severity::Error),
+                        app.editor.get_status().map(|status| status.1)
+                    );
                     assert_eq!(None, doc.path());
                 }),
             ),