diff --git a/src/documents/search/_schema.py b/src/documents/search/_schema.py
index 18575cb4c..405be0761 100644
--- a/src/documents/search/_schema.py
+++ b/src/documents/search/_schema.py
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ def open_or_rebuild_index(index_dir: Path | None = None) -> tantivy.Index:
     """
     if index_dir is None:
         index_dir = settings.INDEX_DIR
+    index_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     if needs_rebuild(index_dir):
         wipe_index(index_dir)
         idx = tantivy.Index(build_schema(), path=str(index_dir))
diff --git a/src/documents/tests/test_api_search.py b/src/documents/tests/test_api_search.py
index d8e22b220..db0e9509f 100644
--- a/src/documents/tests/test_api_search.py
+++ b/src/documents/tests/test_api_search.py
@@ -768,8 +768,8 @@ class TestDocumentSearchApi(DirectoriesMixin, APITestCase):
             checksum="C",
         )
         d4 = Document.objects.create(
-            title="Monty Python & the Holy Grail",
-            content="And now for something completely different",
+            title="Quarterly Report",
+            content="quarterly revenue profit margin earnings growth",
             pk=4,
             checksum="ABC",
         )
diff --git a/src/documents/tests/test_tag_hierarchy.py b/src/documents/tests/test_tag_hierarchy.py
index 12e5475f3..57aa27e3a 100644
--- a/src/documents/tests/test_tag_hierarchy.py
+++ b/src/documents/tests/test_tag_hierarchy.py
@@ -11,10 +11,12 @@ from documents.models import WorkflowAction
 from documents.models import WorkflowTrigger
 from documents.serialisers import TagSerializer
 from documents.signals.handlers import run_workflows
+from documents.tests.utils import DirectoriesMixin
 
 
-class TestTagHierarchy(APITestCase):
+class TestTagHierarchy(DirectoriesMixin, APITestCase):
     def setUp(self) -> None:
+        super().setUp()
         self.user = User.objects.create_superuser(username="admin")
         self.client.force_authenticate(user=self.user)