diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 630518389c..1efa9ac295 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -83,7 +83,9 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
     // keep this condition in sync with the branches at the end
     engine_state.is_interactive = parsed_nu_cli_args.interactive_shell.is_some()
-        || (parsed_nu_cli_args.commands.is_none() && script_name.is_empty());
+        || (parsed_nu_cli_args.testbin.is_none()
+            && parsed_nu_cli_args.commands.is_none()
+            && script_name.is_empty());
 
     engine_state.is_login = parsed_nu_cli_args.login_shell.is_some();