diff --git a/pantheon/src/test/java/tech/pegasys/pantheon/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java b/pantheon/src/test/java/tech/pegasys/pantheon/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
index a14524361b..9c9d107691 100644
--- a/pantheon/src/test/java/tech/pegasys/pantheon/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
+++ b/pantheon/src/test/java/tech/pegasys/pantheon/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
@@ -145,6 +145,8 @@ protected CommandLine.Model.CommandSpec parseCommand(final String... args) {
   }
 
   protected CommandLine.Model.CommandSpec parseCommand(final InputStream in, final String... args) {
+    // turn off ansi usage globally in picocli
+    System.setProperty("picocli.ansi", "false");
 
     final TestPantheonCommand pantheonCommand =
         new TestPantheonCommand(