diff --git a/tests/cobra.py b/tests/cobra.py
index 97b43f2..2eec347 100644
--- a/tests/cobra.py
+++ b/tests/cobra.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import cobra
 import json
+from pathlib import Path
 
 def loadYaml(model_name):
     print('load yaml')
@@ -34,7 +35,10 @@ def loadMatlab(model_name):
     is_valid = False
     errors = ''
     try:
-        cobra.io.load_matlab_model(model_name + '.mat')
+        data_dir = Path(".") / ".." 
+        data_dir = data_dir.resolve()
+        model_path = data_dir / "{}.mat".format(model_name)
+        cobra.io.load_matlab_model(str(model_path.resolve()))
         is_valid = True
     except FileNotFoundError:
         errors = "File missing"
@@ -61,9 +65,10 @@ def loadJson(model_name):
 def validateSbml(model_name):
     print('validate sbml with cobrapy')
     is_valid = False
+    errors = ''
     try:
         _, result = cobra.io.sbml.validate_sbml_model(model_name + '.xml')
-        if result == {}:
+        if result['SBML_FATAL'] == [] and result['SBML_ERROR'] == [] and result['SBML_SCHEMA_ERROR'] == [] and result['COBRA_FATAL'] == [] and result['COBRA_ERROR'] == []:
             is_valid = True
         else:
             raise Exception(result)