diff --git a/allianceauth/notifications/tests/test_processors.py b/allianceauth/notifications/tests/test_processors.py
index d3365c14..6c3c2480 100644
--- a/allianceauth/notifications/tests/test_processors.py
+++ b/allianceauth/notifications/tests/test_processors.py
@@ -6,56 +6,58 @@ from django.core.cache import cache
 from allianceauth.notifications.models import Notification
 
 class TestNotificationCount(TestCase):
-    def setUp(self):
-        self.user = AuthUtils.create_user('magic_mike')
-        AuthUtils.add_main_character(self.user, 'Magic Mike', '1', corp_id='2', corp_name='Pole Riders', corp_ticker='PRIDE', alliance_id='3', alliance_name='RIDERS')
-        self.user.profile.refresh_from_db()
+
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpTestData(cls):
+        cls.user = AuthUtils.create_user('magic_mike')
+        AuthUtils.add_main_character(cls.user, 'Magic Mike', '1', corp_id='2', corp_name='Pole Riders', corp_ticker='PRIDE', alliance_id='3', alliance_name='RIDERS')
+        cls.user.profile.refresh_from_db()
 
         ### test notifications for mike
-
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.all().delete()
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 1 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken",
                                     viewed=True)
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 2 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 3 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 4 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 5 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=1,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 6 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
 
-        self.user2 = AuthUtils.create_user('teh_kid')
-        AuthUtils.add_main_character(self.user, 'The Kid', '2', corp_id='2', corp_name='Pole Riders', corp_ticker='PRIDE', alliance_id='3', alliance_name='RIDERS')
-        self.user2.profile.refresh_from_db()
+        cls.user2 = AuthUtils.create_user('teh_kid')
+        AuthUtils.add_main_character(cls.user, 'The Kid', '2', corp_id='2', corp_name='Pole Riders', corp_ticker='PRIDE', alliance_id='3', alliance_name='RIDERS')
+        cls.user2.profile.refresh_from_db()
 
         # Noitification for kid
-
-        Notification.objects.create(user_id=2,
+        Notification.objects.create(user=cls.user2,
                                     level="INFO",
                                     title="Job 6 Failed",
                                     message="Because it was broken")
 
-        mock_req = mock.MagicMock()
-        mock_req.user.id = 1
-        self.req_mock = mock_req
 
     def test_no_cache(self):
-        context_dict = user_notification_count(self.req_mock)
+        mock_req = mock.MagicMock()
+        mock_req.user.id = self.user.id
+
+        cache.delete("u-note:{}".format(self.user.id)) # force the db to be hit
+        context_dict = user_notification_count(mock_req)
         self.assertIsInstance(context_dict, dict)
         self.assertEqual(context_dict.get('notifications'), 5)  # 5 only
 
@@ -64,9 +66,11 @@ class TestNotificationCount(TestCase):
     def test_cache(self, mock_foo):
         mock_foo.filter.return_value = mock_foo
         mock_foo.count.return_value = 5
+        mock_req = mock.MagicMock()
+        mock_req.user.id = self.user.id
 
-        cache.set("u-note:{}".format(1),10,5)
-        context_dict = user_notification_count(self.req_mock)
+        cache.set("u-note:{}".format(self.user.id),10,5)
+        context_dict = user_notification_count(mock_req)
         self.assertIsInstance(context_dict, dict)
         self.assertEqual(context_dict.get('notifications'), 10) # cached value
         self.assertEqual(mock_foo.called, 0)  # ensure the DB was not hit