diff --git a/examples/customize_controls/construct.yaml b/examples/customize_controls/construct.yaml
index d7c0eea8..aae91d0f 100644
--- a/examples/customize_controls/construct.yaml
+++ b/examples/customize_controls/construct.yaml
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ specs:
 
 register_python: False
 initialize_conda: False
+initialize_by_default: false
diff --git a/examples/osxpkg/construct.yaml b/examples/osxpkg/construct.yaml
index e3961867..d10fb6ed 100644
--- a/examples/osxpkg/construct.yaml
+++ b/examples/osxpkg/construct.yaml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ channels:
   - http://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main/
 
 attempt_hardlinks: True
+initialize_by_default: false
 
 specs:
   - python
diff --git a/examples/use_channel_remap/construct.yaml b/examples/use_channel_remap/construct.yaml
index e1275a5f..fbd3fe58 100644
--- a/examples/use_channel_remap/construct.yaml
+++ b/examples/use_channel_remap/construct.yaml
@@ -18,3 +18,4 @@ specs:
   - conda
 
 license_file: eula.txt
+initialize_by_default: false
diff --git a/news/709-test-import-fixes b/news/709-test-import-fixes
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8c821153
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/709-test-import-fixes
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Fix imports and skips for constructor tests. (#709)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/tests/test_examples.py b/tests/test_examples.py
index 4bd862a3..0fb9cf4f 100644
--- a/tests/test_examples.py
+++ b/tests/test_examples.py
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@
 from conda.base.context import context
 from conda.core.prefix_data import PrefixData
 
-from constructor.osxpkg import calculate_install_dir
+if sys.platform == "darwin":
+    from constructor.osxpkg import calculate_install_dir
 
 try:
     import coverage  # noqa
@@ -349,7 +350,7 @@ def test_example_noconda(tmp_path, request):
         _run_installer(input_path, installer, install_dir, request=request)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform != "Darwin", reason="macOS only")
+@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform != "darwin", reason="macOS only")
 def test_example_osxpkg(tmp_path, request):
     input_path = _example_path("osxpkg")
     for installer, install_dir in create_installer(input_path, tmp_path):
diff --git a/tests/test_header.py b/tests/test_header.py
index bc5b42bb..725fe607 100644
--- a/tests/test_header.py
+++ b/tests/test_header.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import itertools
 import subprocess
+import sys
 import tempfile
 from functools import lru_cache
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -7,7 +8,11 @@
 
 import pytest
 
-from constructor.osxpkg import OSX_DIR
+if sys.platform == "darwin":
+    from constructor.osxpkg import OSX_DIR
+else:
+    # Tests with OSX_DIR are skipped, but a placeholder is needed for pytest
+    OSX_DIR = ""
 from constructor.shar import read_header_template
 from constructor.utils import preprocess
 
@@ -95,6 +100,7 @@ def test_linux_template_processing():
     assert not errors
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform != "darwin", reason="Only on MacOS")
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("arch", ["x86_64", "arm64"])
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("check_path_spaces", [False, True])
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("script", sorted(Path(OSX_DIR).glob("*.sh")))
@@ -107,6 +113,7 @@ def test_osxpkg_scripts_template_processing(arch, check_path_spaces, script):
     assert "#endif" not in processed
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform != "darwin", reason="Only on MacOS")
 @pytest.mark.skipif(available_command("shellcheck") is False, reason="requires shellcheck")
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("arch", ["x86_64", "arm64"])
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("check_path_spaces", [False, True])