diff --git a/public/java/test/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/variantcontext/VariantContextUtilsUnitTest.java b/public/java/test/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/variantcontext/VariantContextUtilsUnitTest.java
index b5265f949..107241beb 100644
--- a/public/java/test/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/variantcontext/VariantContextUtilsUnitTest.java
+++ b/public/java/test/org/broadinstitute/sting/utils/variantcontext/VariantContextUtilsUnitTest.java
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ public class VariantContextUtilsUnitTest extends BaseTest {
 
         private RepeatDetectorTest(boolean isTrueRepeat, String ref, String refAlleleString, String ... altAlleleStrings) {
             super(RepeatDetectorTest.class);
-            this.ref = ref;
+            this.ref = "N" + ref; // add a dummy base for the event here
             this.isTrueRepeat = isTrueRepeat;
 
             List<Allele> alleles = new LinkedList<Allele>();