diff --git a/gui/notes.lua b/gui/notes.lua
index 4d8eee7d4..9ad4d8f82 100644
--- a/gui/notes.lua
+++ b/gui/notes.lua
@@ -361,8 +361,7 @@ function main()
         qerror('notes requires a fortress map to be loaded')
     end
 
-    view = view and view:raise() or NotesScreen{
-    }:show()
+    view = view and view:raise() or NotesScreen{}:show()
 end
 
 if not dfhack_flags.module then
diff --git a/test/gui/notes.lua b/test/gui/notes.lua
index 9bb1c7ac7..815ba7bfa 100644
--- a/test/gui/notes.lua
+++ b/test/gui/notes.lua
@@ -39,21 +39,21 @@ end
 local function arrange_gui_notes(options)
     options = options or {}
 
+    -- running tests removes all overlays because of IN_TEST reloading.
+    -- rescan so we can load the gui/notes widget for these tests
+    overlay.rescan()
+
     arrange_notes(options.notes)
 
     gui_notes.main()
 
-    local gui_notes = gui_notes.view
-    gui_notes.enable_selector_blink = false
+    local view = gui_notes.view
+    view.enable_selector_blink = false
 
-    gui_notes:updateLayout()
-    gui_notes:onRender()
-
-    -- for some reasons running tests remove all overlays,
-    -- but there are need for gui/notes tests
-    overlay.rescan()
+    view:updateLayout()
+    view:onRender()
 
-    return gui_notes, gui_notes.subviews.notes_window
+    return view, view.subviews.notes_window
 end
 
 local function cleanup(gui_notes)