diff --git a/Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py b/Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py
index cc1aef43ef..21efe9b608 100755
--- a/Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py
+++ b/Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py
@@ -769,7 +769,7 @@ def start_vehicle(binary, opts, stuff, spawns=None):
                 print("The parameter file (%s) does not exist" % (x,))
                 sys.exit(1)
         path = ",".join(paths)
-        if cmd_opts.count > 1:
+        if cmd_opts.count > 1 or opts.auto_sysid:
             # we are in a subdirectory when using -n
             path = os.path.join("..", path)
         progress("Using defaults from (%s)" % (path,))