diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index af1507c03..181c1e051 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ RUNCODE=""
 if test "x$with_mpi" = "xyes"; then
    AC_CHECK_PROG(MPIRUN, mpirun, mpirun)
    # always use 2 processes for 'make check'
-   RUNCODE="$MPIRUN -np 2 --verbose -output-filename mpirun.out --timestamp-output" 
+   RUNCODE="$MPIRUN -np 2"
 fi
 AC_SUBST(RUNCODE)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WITH_MPI, test "x$with_mpi" = "xyes")
diff --git a/python/meep.i b/python/meep.i
index 3a67342be..0ff49c390 100644
--- a/python/meep.i
+++ b/python/meep.i
@@ -600,6 +600,12 @@ extern boolean point_in_objectp(vector3 p, GEOMETRIC_OBJECT o);
             comm = MPI.COMM_WORLD
             master_printf('\n**\n** successfully loaded python MPI module (mpi4py)\n**\n')
 
+            if comm.Get_rank() != 0:
+                import os
+                import sys
+                saved_stdout = sys.stdout
+                sys.stdout = open(os.devnull, 'w')
+                
     vacuum = Medium(epsilon=1)
     air = Medium(epsilon=1)
     metal = Medium(epsilon=-1e20)
diff --git a/python/tests/physical.py b/python/tests/physical.py
index c97949145..b9b3a71cf 100644
--- a/python/tests/physical.py
+++ b/python/tests/physical.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 #  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 #  along with this program if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
 #  Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
-
 import unittest
 
 import meep as mp