diff --git a/tests/test_index.py b/tests/test_index.py
index 77b1955e2a..45f421a383 100644
--- a/tests/test_index.py
+++ b/tests/test_index.py
@@ -1170,8 +1170,8 @@ def test_multi_index_load_from_path():
     # check to make sure that full paths to expected sig files are returned
     locs = [ x[1] for x in mi.signatures_with_location() ]
 
-    endings = ('prot/protein/GCA_001593925.1_ASM159392v1_protein.faa.gz.sig',
-               'prot/protein/GCA_001593935.1_ASM159393v1_protein.faa.gz.sig')
+    endings = ('GCA_001593925.1_ASM159392v1_protein.faa.gz.sig',
+               'GCA_001593935.1_ASM159393v1_protein.faa.gz.sig')
     for loc in locs:
         found = False
         for end in endings:
@@ -1179,6 +1179,13 @@ def test_multi_index_load_from_path():
                 found = True
         assert found, f"could not find full filename in locations for {end}"
 
+    # also check internal locations and parent value --
+    assert mi.parent.endswith('prot/protein')
+
+    ilocs = [ x[2] for x in mi._signatures_with_internal() ]
+    assert endings[0] in ilocs, ilocs
+    assert endings[1] in ilocs, ilocs
+
 
 def test_multi_index_load_from_path_2():
     # only load .sig files, currently; not the databases under that directory.