diff --git a/proselint/tools.py b/proselint/tools.py
index 1525431ba..64eaa9e31 100644
--- a/proselint/tools.py
+++ b/proselint/tools.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def get_checks(options):
     return checks
 
 
-def load_options(config_file_path=None):
+def load_options(config_file_path=None, fallbacks=[]):
     """Read various proselintrc files, allowing user overrides."""
     possible_defaults = (
         '/etc/proselintrc',
@@ -176,8 +176,7 @@ def load_options(config_file_path=None):
     # try to find a config file in the default locations,
     # respecting environment variables
     else:
-        for f in [os.path.join(_get_xdg_config_home(), 'proselint', 'config'),
-                  os.path.join(home_dir, '.proselintrc')]:
+        for f in fallbacks:
             if os.path.exists(f):
                 user_options = json.load(open(f))
                 has_overrides = True
@@ -226,7 +225,11 @@ def line_and_column(text, position):
 
 def lint(input_file, debug=False, config_file_path=None):
     """Run the linter on the input file."""
-    options = load_options(config_file_path)
+    options = load_options(
+        config_file_path,
+        [os.path.join(_get_xdg_config_home(), 'proselint', 'config'),
+         os.path.join(home_dir, '.proselintrc')]
+    )
 
     if isinstance(input_file, str):
         text = input_file
diff --git a/tests/test_config_flag.py b/tests/test_config_flag.py
index 3a2233c6b..2f5ca25cf 100644
--- a/tests/test_config_flag.py
+++ b/tests/test_config_flag.py
@@ -7,3 +7,10 @@ def test_load_options_function():
     overrides = load_options("tests/test_config_flag_proselintrc")
     assert load_options()["checks"]["uncomparables.misc"]
     assert not overrides["checks"]["uncomparables.misc"]
+
+
+def test_load_fallbacks():
+    fallbacks = load_options(None, ["tests/test_config_flag_proselintrc"])
+    assert not fallbacks["checks"]["uncomparables.misc"]
+    fallbacks = load_options(None, ["./.proselintrc"])
+    assert fallbacks["checks"]["uncomparables.misc"]