diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 3a603f44f..ed7990a31 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -22,6 +22,14 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
             Concretely, the tests won't fail if gpu option if false in the output MAPS whereas
             it should be true.""",
     )
+    parser.addoption(
+        "--adapt-base-dir",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="""To virtually change the base directory in the paths stored in MAPS. Default is False.
+            To use carefully, only to run tests locally. Should not be used in final CI tests.
+            Concretely, the tests won't fail if only the base directory differs in the paths stored
+            in the MAPS.""",
+    )
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -29,4 +37,5 @@ def cmdopt(request):
     config_param = {}
     config_param["input"] = request.config.getoption("--input_data_directory")
     config_param["simulate gpu"] = request.config.getoption("--simulate-gpu")
+    config_param["adapt base dir"] = request.config.getoption("--adapt-base-dir")
     return config_param
diff --git a/tests/test_train_ae.py b/tests/test_train_ae.py
index ab9c057ff..778ee7f9d 100644
--- a/tests/test_train_ae.py
+++ b/tests/test_train_ae.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def test_name(request):
 
 
 def test_train_ae(cmdopt, tmp_path, test_name):
-    base_dir = Path(cmdopt["input"])
+    base_dir = Path(cmdopt["input"]).resolve()
     input_dir = base_dir / "train" / "in"
     ref_dir = base_dir / "train" / "ref"
     tmp_out_dir = base_dir / "train" / "out"
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ def test_train_ae(cmdopt, tmp_path, test_name):
     else:
         raise NotImplementedError(f"Test {test_name} is not implemented.")
 
+    if cmdopt["simulate gpu"]:
+        test_input.append("--no-gpu")
+
     if tmp_out_dir.is_dir():
         shutil.rmtree(tmp_out_dir)
 
@@ -101,6 +104,16 @@ def test_train_ae(cmdopt, tmp_path, test_name):
 
     if test_name == "patch_multi_ae":
         json_data_out["multi_network"] = True
+    if cmdopt["simulate gpu"]:
+        json_data_out["gpu"] = True
+    if cmdopt["adapt base dir"]:
+        ref_base_dir = Path(json_data_ref["caps_directory"]).parents[2]
+        json_data_out["caps_directory"] = str(
+            ref_base_dir / Path(json_data_out["caps_directory"]).relative_to(base_dir)
+        )
+        json_data_out["tsv_path"] = str(
+            ref_base_dir / Path(json_data_out["tsv_path"]).relative_to(base_dir)
+        )
     assert json_data_out == json_data_ref  # ["mode"] == mode
 
     assert compare_folders(