diff --git a/atst/app.py b/atst/app.py
index 9b570ccf..e344cb56 100644
--- a/atst/app.py
+++ b/atst/app.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ def map_config(config):
     }
 
 
-def make_config():
+def make_config(direct_config=None):
     BASE_CONFIG_FILENAME = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "../config/base.ini")
     ENV_CONFIG_FILENAME = os.path.join(
         os.path.dirname(__file__), "../config/", "{}.ini".format(ENV.lower())
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ def make_config():
         if env_override:
             config.set("default", confsetting, env_override)
 
+    # override if a dictionary of options has been given
+    if direct_config:
+        config.read_dict({"default": direct_config})
+
     # Assemble DATABASE_URI value
     database_uri = (
         "postgres://"
diff --git a/script/remove_sample_data.py b/script/remove_sample_data.py
index e736c1da..f769e328 100644
--- a/script/remove_sample_data.py
+++ b/script/remove_sample_data.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def remove_sample_data(all_users=False):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    config = make_config()
+    config = make_config({"DISABLE_CRL_CHECK": True})
     app = make_app(config)
     with app.app_context():
         remove_sample_data()
diff --git a/script/seed_roles.py b/script/seed_roles.py
index 508f9c62..6982e179 100755
--- a/script/seed_roles.py
+++ b/script/seed_roles.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def seed_roles():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    config = make_config()
+    config = make_config({"DISABLE_CRL_CHECK": True})
     app = make_app(config)
     with app.app_context():
         seed_roles()
diff --git a/script/seed_sample.py b/script/seed_sample.py
index 8ba4692b..d7361663 100644
--- a/script/seed_sample.py
+++ b/script/seed_sample.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def seed_db():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    config = make_config()
+    config = make_config({"DISABLE_CRL_CHECK": True})
     app = make_app(config)
     with app.app_context():
         seed_db()