diff --git a/tests/lib/Doctrine_DbalTestCase.php b/tests/lib/Doctrine_DbalTestCase.php
index abb227589..28ab8f475 100644
--- a/tests/lib/Doctrine_DbalTestCase.php
+++ b/tests/lib/Doctrine_DbalTestCase.php
@@ -4,5 +4,22 @@
  */
 class Doctrine_DbalTestCase extends Doctrine_TestCase
 {
-    
+    /**
+     * setUp()
+     *
+     * Note: This setUp() and the one of OrmTestCase currently look identical. However,
+     * please dont pull this method up. In the future with a separation of Dbal/Orm
+     * this setUp() will take care of a DBAL connection and the ORM setUp() will take care
+     * of an ORM connection/session/manager.
+     */
+    protected function setUp()
+    {
+        // Setup a db connection if there is none, yet. This makes it possible
+        // to run tests that use a connection standalone.
+        // @todo Make DBMS choice configurable
+        if ( ! isset($this->sharedFixture['connection'])) {
+            $pdo = new PDO('sqlite::memory:');
+            $this->sharedFixture['connection'] = Doctrine_Manager::connection($pdo, 'sqlite_memory');
+        }
+    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/lib/Doctrine_OrmTestCase.php b/tests/lib/Doctrine_OrmTestCase.php
index f854043fd..234d8c2f5 100644
--- a/tests/lib/Doctrine_OrmTestCase.php
+++ b/tests/lib/Doctrine_OrmTestCase.php
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ class Doctrine_OrmTestCase extends Doctrine_TestCase
     
     /**
      * setUp()
+     *
+     * Note: This setUp() and the one of DbalTestCase currently look identical. However,
+     * please dont pull this method up. In the future with a separation of Dbal/Orm
+     * this setUp() will take care of a ORM connection/session/manager initialization
+     * and the DBAL setUp() will take care of just a DBAL connection.
      */
     protected function setUp()
     {