diff --git a/IPython/kernel/zmq/tests/test_start_kernel.py b/IPython/kernel/zmq/tests/test_start_kernel.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ba37ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/IPython/kernel/zmq/tests/test_start_kernel.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+import nose.tools as nt
+
+from .test_embed_kernel import setup, teardown, setup_kernel
+
+TIMEOUT = 15
+
+def test_ipython_start_kernel_userns():
+    cmd = ('from IPython import start_kernel\n'
+           'ns = {"tre": 123}\n'
+           'start_kernel(user_ns=ns)')
+    
+    with setup_kernel(cmd) as client:
+        msg_id = client.object_info('tre')
+        msg = client.get_shell_msg(block=True, timeout=TIMEOUT)
+        content = msg['content']
+        assert content['found']
+        nt.assert_equal(content['string_form'], u'123')
\ No newline at end of file