diff --git a/beat/core/test/test_algorithm_loading.py b/beat/core/test/test_algorithm_loading.py
index 2a4bf92982154d716702ee91f5590a9bf92c39e2..02501c98330ccac973b2a34c8933e304e6261e58 100644
--- a/beat/core/test/test_algorithm_loading.py
+++ b/beat/core/test/test_algorithm_loading.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 ###################################################################################
 
 
-import six
 import nose.tools
 
 from ..algorithm import Algorithm
@@ -49,7 +48,9 @@ from .utils import cleanup
 def test_load_default_algorithm():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, data=None)
-    assert algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(
+        algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    )
 
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -58,8 +59,10 @@ def test_load_default_algorithm():
 def test_missing_inputs():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "user/no_inputs_declarations/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid is False
-    assert algorithm.errors[0].find("'inputs' is a required property") != -1
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
+    nose.tools.assert_not_equal(
+        algorithm.errors[0].find("'inputs' is a required property"), -1
+    )
 
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -68,8 +71,10 @@ def test_missing_inputs():
 def test_missing_outputs():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "user/no_outputs_declarations/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid is False
-    assert algorithm.errors[0].find("'outputs' is a required property") != -1
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
+    nose.tools.assert_not_equal(
+        algorithm.errors[0].find("'outputs' is a required property"), -1
+    )
 
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -78,8 +83,10 @@ def test_missing_outputs():
 def test_invalid_loop_channel():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "schema/invalid_loop_channel/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid is False
-    assert algorithm.errors[0].find("'request' is a required property") != -1
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
+    nose.tools.assert_not_equal(
+        algorithm.errors[0].find("'request' is a required property"), -1
+    )
 
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -88,33 +95,41 @@ def test_invalid_loop_channel():
 def test_v2():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "user/integers_add_v2/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(
+        algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    )
 
 
 def test_analyzer_v2():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "user/integers_echo_analyzer_v2/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(
+        algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    )
 
 
 def test_v3():
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "autonomous/loop/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(
+        algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    )
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "autonomous/loop_user/1")
-    assert algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(
+        algorithm.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(algorithm.errors)
+    )
 
 
 def test_invalid_v3():
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "schema/invalid_loop_output/1")
-    assert not algorithm.valid
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "schema/invalid_loop_type/1")
-    assert not algorithm.valid
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
 
     algorithm = Algorithm(prefix, "schema/invalid_loop_user_type/1")
-    assert not algorithm.valid
+    nose.tools.assert_false(algorithm.valid)
 
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -125,10 +140,10 @@ def test_export():
 
     name = "user/for_dep/1"
     obj = Algorithm(prefix, name)
-    assert obj.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(obj.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(obj.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(obj.errors))
 
     obj.export(tmp_prefix)
 
     # load from tmp_prefix and validates
     exported = Algorithm(tmp_prefix, name)
-    assert exported.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(exported.errors)
+    nose.tools.assert_true(exported.valid, "\n  * %s" % "\n  * ".join(exported.errors))