diff --git a/spec/spec_helper.rb b/spec/spec_helper.rb
index 0df96be7..bec05b48 100644
--- a/spec/spec_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ require 'rspec/rails'
 # run twice. It is recommended that you do not name files matching this glob to
 # end with _spec.rb. You can configure this pattern with with the --pattern
 # option on the command line or in ~/.rspec, .rspec or `.rspec-local`.
+
+# Checks for pending migrations before tests are run.
+# If you are not using ActiveRecord, you can remove this line.
+ActiveRecord::Migration.maintain_test_schema!
+
 Dir[Rails.root.join("spec/support/**/*.rb")].each { |f| require f }
 
 RSpec.configure do |config|