diff --git a/spec/pane-spec.coffee b/spec/pane-spec.coffee
index 0b5e4fe3b..b892995c7 100644
--- a/spec/pane-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/pane-spec.coffee
@@ -699,11 +699,11 @@ describe "Pane", ->
 
     it "focuses the pane after attach only if had focus when serialized", ->
       reloadContainer = ->
-        projectState = project.serialize()
+        projectReplica = atom.replicate().get('project')
         containerState = container.serialize()
         container.remove()
         project.destroy()
-        window.project = deserialize(projectState)
+        window.project = projectReplica
         container = deserialize(containerState)
         pane = container.getRoot()
         container.attachToDom()
diff --git a/spec/project-spec.coffee b/spec/project-spec.coffee
index 5df379830..e205662ed 100644
--- a/spec/project-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/project-spec.coffee
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ describe "Project", ->
     it "destroys unretained buffers and does not include them in the serialized state", ->
       project.bufferForPathSync('a')
       expect(project.getBuffers().length).toBe 1
-      deserializedProject = deserialize(project.serialize())
+      atom.getWindowState().serializeForPersistence()
+      deserializedProject = atom.replicate().get('project')
       expect(deserializedProject.getBuffers().length).toBe 0
       expect(project.getBuffers().length).toBe 0