diff --git a/runtests.sh b/runtests.sh
index 05723cc4..2a97aa55 100755
--- a/runtests.sh
+++ b/runtests.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/bin/bash
-# system should be in "America/Los_Angeles" timezone for all tests to pass
-# ensure no local plugin parsers are installed for all tests to pass
+# system should be in "America/Los_Angeles" (PST8PDT) timezone for all tests
+# to pass ensure no local plugin parsers are installed for all tests to pass
 
-TZ=America/Los_Angeles python3 -m unittest -v
+TZ=PST8PDT python3 -m unittest -v