diff --git a/functions/helpers_test.go b/functions/helpers_test.go
index 83a061cd..949f7bd2 100644
--- a/functions/helpers_test.go
+++ b/functions/helpers_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/logger"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/logic"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -46,36 +47,23 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 
 func TestNetworkExists(t *testing.T) {
 	database.DeleteRecord(database.NETWORKS_TABLE_NAME, testNetwork.NetID)
-	defer database.CloseDB()
 	exists, err := logic.NetworkExists(testNetwork.NetID)
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("expected error, received nil")
-	}
-	if exists {
-		t.Fatalf("expected false")
-	}
+	assert.NotNil(t, err)
+	assert.False(t, exists)
 
 	err = logic.SaveNetwork(testNetwork)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to save test network in databse: %s", err)
-	}
+	assert.Nil(t, err)
 	exists, err = logic.NetworkExists(testNetwork.NetID)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("expected nil, received err: %s", err)
-	}
-	if !exists {
-		t.Fatalf("expected network to exist in database")
-	}
+	assert.Nil(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, exists)
 
 	err = database.DeleteRecord(database.NETWORKS_TABLE_NAME, testNetwork.NetID)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("expected nil, failed to delete test network: %s", err)
-	}
+	assert.Nil(t, err)
 }
 
 func TestGetAllExtClients(t *testing.T) {
-	defer database.CloseDB()
-	database.DeleteRecord(database.EXT_CLIENT_TABLE_NAME, testExternalClient.ClientID)
+	err := database.DeleteRecord(database.EXT_CLIENT_TABLE_NAME, testExternalClient.ClientID)
+	assert.Nil(t, err)
 
 	extClients, err := GetAllExtClients()
 	if err == nil {