diff --git a/src/testdir/test_startup.vim b/src/testdir/test_startup.vim
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0630b2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/test_startup.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+" Check that loading startup.vim works.
+
+func Test_startup_script()
+  set compatible
+  source $VIMRUNTIME/defaults.vim
+
+  call assert_equal(0, &compatible)
+endfunc