diff --git a/tests/__main__.py b/tests/__main__.py
index fedd75eef..0ecaec323 100644
--- a/tests/__main__.py
+++ b/tests/__main__.py
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ cmd = (
     "nosetests -v --processes=4 --process-timeout=600 --cover-inclusive "
     "--cover-erase --cover-package=dvc --with-coverage --with-flaky "
     "--logging-clear-handlers "
+    # --exe ensures tests are executed even if they have exec permissions set
+    # and owned by root:root as they do when running in Windows Subsystem for
+    # Linux (WSL).
+    "--exe "
     "{scope} ".format(scope=scope)
 )
 check_call(cmd, shell=True)