diff --git a/run_tests.py b/run_tests.py
index d8c3f958b..f4ec4de76 100755
--- a/run_tests.py
+++ b/run_tests.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from glob import glob
 import os, subprocess, shutil
 
-test_build_dir = 'test build area'
+test_build_dir = 'work area'
 builder_command = './builder.py'
 
 def run_test(testdir):
diff --git a/shellgenerator.py b/shellgenerator.py
index 6ac6f0b73..8b410b6b2 100755
--- a/shellgenerator.py
+++ b/shellgenerator.py
@@ -93,5 +93,5 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     executable('prog', 'prog.c')
     """
     os.chdir(os.path.split(__file__)[0])
-    g = ShellGenerator(code, '.', 'test build area')
+    g = ShellGenerator(code, '.', 'work area')
     g.generate()