diff --git a/tests/roots/test-add_enumerable_node/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-add_enumerable_node/conf.py
index 3840666ce..8c3a568a5 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-add_enumerable_node/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-add_enumerable_node/conf.py
@@ -4,5 +4,4 @@ import sys
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 extensions = ['enumerable_node']
 
-master_doc = 'index'
 numfig = True
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/conf.py
index 5026b6186..15f45a679 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/conf.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ from sphinx.writers.text import TextTranslator
 
 
 project = 'test'
-master_doc = 'index'
 
 
 class ConfHTMLTranslator(HTMLTranslator):
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/nonext/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/nonext/conf.py
index fd7da9a55..f93e4da49 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/nonext/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-api-set-translator/nonext/conf.py
@@ -4,4 +4,3 @@ import sys
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath('.')))
 
 project = 'test'
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-basic/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-basic/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-basic/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-basic/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-build-html-translator/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-build-html-translator/conf.py
index 97279209e..799fdf019 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-build-html-translator/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-build-html-translator/conf.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from sphinx.writers.html import HTMLTranslator
 
 project = 'test'
-master_doc = 'index'
 
 
 class ConfHTMLTranslator(HTMLTranslator):
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-build-htmlhelp/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-build-htmlhelp/conf.py
index fcde6a5fc..9b6a55417 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-build-htmlhelp/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-build-htmlhelp/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 project = 'test'
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-builder-gettext-dont-rebuild-mo/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-builder-gettext-dont-rebuild-mo/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-builder-gettext-dont-rebuild-mo/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-builder-gettext-dont-rebuild-mo/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-default_role/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-default_role/conf.py
index 2a35d6957..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-default_role/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-default_role/conf.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-directive-code/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-directive-code/conf.py
index 4ac99fc27..f1e3a2c4b 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-directive-code/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-directive-code/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 numfig = True
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-directives-raw/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-directives-raw/conf.py
index 2a35d6957..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-directives-raw/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-directives-raw/conf.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-domain-cpp/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-domain-cpp/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-domain-cpp/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-domain-cpp/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-domain-js/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-domain-js/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-domain-js/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-domain-js/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-domain-py/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-domain-py/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-domain-py/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-domain-py/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-double-inheriting-theme/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-double-inheriting-theme/conf.py
index edb8928cd..3667b02aa 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-double-inheriting-theme/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-double-inheriting-theme/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 templates_path = ['_templates']
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'base_theme2'
 html_theme_path = ['base_themes_dir']
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-epub-anchor-id/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-epub-anchor-id/conf.py
index dcee678b8..d1b25bfe5 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-epub-anchor-id/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-epub-anchor-id/conf.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel-prefix-document/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel-prefix-document/conf.py
index d28749500..78fb56c3c 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel-prefix-document/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel-prefix-document/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autosectionlabel']
-master_doc = 'index'
 autosectionlabel_prefix_document = True
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel/conf.py
index 7e8cc3408..31e93ffbb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosectionlabel/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autosectionlabel']
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-doctest-with-autodoc/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-doctest-with-autodoc/conf.py
index a5d0d622d..1ec1dd994 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-doctest-with-autodoc/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-doctest-with-autodoc/conf.py
@@ -5,4 +5,3 @@ sys.path.insert(0, path.abspath(path.dirname(__file__)))
 
 project = 'test project for doctest + autodoc reporting'
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autodoc', 'sphinx.ext.doctest']
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-githubpages/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-githubpages/conf.py
index 8fc08db64..357709663 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-githubpages/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-githubpages/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.githubpages']
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-graphviz/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-graphviz/conf.py
index a90de01a0..c14103287 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-graphviz/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-graphviz/conf.py
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.graphviz']
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'SphinxTests.tex', 'Sphinx Tests Documentation',
+    ('index', 'SphinxTests.tex', 'Sphinx Tests Documentation',
      'Georg Brandl', 'manual'),
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-ifconfig/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-ifconfig/conf.py
index 6b9dc7ce3..565f6bcb3 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-ifconfig/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-ifconfig/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.ifconfig']
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
 confval1 = True
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-imgconverter/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-imgconverter/conf.py
index d01569a7d..6a2e75d3d 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-imgconverter/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-imgconverter/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.imgconverter']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-inheritance_diagram/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-inheritance_diagram/conf.py
index ad1693966..9953494a5 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-inheritance_diagram/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-inheritance_diagram/conf.py
@@ -4,4 +4,3 @@ import sys
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.inheritance_diagram']
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-intersphinx-cppdomain/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-intersphinx-cppdomain/conf.py
index 0328a6350..9485eb207 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-intersphinx-cppdomain/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-intersphinx-cppdomain/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.intersphinx']
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-math-compat/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-math-compat/conf.py
index aaa73ec75..30d26f97c 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-math-compat/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-math-compat/conf.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ from docutils.parsers.rst import Directive
 
 from sphinx.ext.mathbase import math, displaymath
 
-master_doc = 'index'
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.mathjax']
 
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-math-simple/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-math-simple/conf.py
index f3def53cb..ce2464554 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-math-simple/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-math-simple/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'Math Extension Testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')]
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'Math Extension Testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-math/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-math/conf.py
index f3def53cb..ce2464554 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-math/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-math/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'Math Extension Testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')]
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'Math Extension Testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-todo/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-todo/conf.py
index 119357108..e7a15a4df 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-todo/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-todo/conf.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.todo']
-master_doc = 'index'
 
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'TodoTests.tex', 'Todo Tests Documentation',
+    ('index', 'TodoTests.tex', 'Todo Tests Documentation',
      'Robin Banks', 'manual'),
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode-find/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode-find/conf.py
index 83bde5cf9..18f97f4a0 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode-find/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode-find/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.viewcode']
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 viewcode_follow_imported_members = False
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode/conf.py
index 940d24ba8..6ec2b7742 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-viewcode/conf.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ source_dir = os.path.abspath('.')
 if source_dir not in sys.path:
     sys.path.insert(0, source_dir)
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autodoc', 'sphinx.ext.viewcode']
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-footnotes/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-footnotes/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-footnotes/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-footnotes/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-glossary/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-glossary/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-glossary/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-glossary/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-html_assets/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-html_assets/conf.py
index b652d2b9a..ec53011c2 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-html_assets/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-html_assets/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 project = 'Sphinx'
 version = '1.4.4'
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-html_entity/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-html_entity/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-html_entity/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-html_entity/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-image-in-parsed-literal/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-image-in-parsed-literal/conf.py
index 7d5209029..5d06da633 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-image-in-parsed-literal/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-image-in-parsed-literal/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
 rst_epilog = '''
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-image-in-section/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-image-in-section/conf.py
index b5ad2b48e..9cb250c1a 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-image-in-section/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-image-in-section/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
 rst_epilog = '''
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-images/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-images/conf.py
index 2a35d6957..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-images/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-images/conf.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-keep_warnings/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-keep_warnings/conf.py
index 2a293848b..b7b3c312f 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-keep_warnings/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-keep_warnings/conf.py
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 keep_warnings = True
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-babel/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-babel/conf.py
index dbc8b3f70..175e3ff07 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-babel/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-babel/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 numfig_format = {
     'figure': 'Fig. %s',
     'table': 'Table. %s',
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-index/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-index/conf.py
index 2a35d6957..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-index/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-index/conf.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-labels/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-labels/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-labels/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-labels/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-numfig/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-numfig/conf.py
index 2d60d05da..287bd1c9b 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-numfig/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-numfig/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.imgmath']  # for math_numfig
 
 latex_documents = [
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-table/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-table/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-table/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-table/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-latex-title/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-latex-title/conf.py
index f77dd1597..64433165b 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-latex-title/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-latex-title/conf.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 # set empty string to the third column to use the first section title to document title
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', '', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', '', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-manpage_url/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-manpage_url/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-manpage_url/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-manpage_url/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-markup-citation/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-markup-citation/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-markup-citation/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-markup-citation/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-markup-rubric/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-markup-rubric/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-markup-rubric/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-markup-rubric/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-maxlistdepth/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-maxlistdepth/conf.py
index 3a6573847..5af61edf1 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-maxlistdepth/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-maxlistdepth/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-metadata/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-metadata/conf.py
index 2a35d6957..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-metadata/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-metadata/conf.py
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-need-escaped/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-need-escaped/conf.py
index 38b21c694..0461ea3ad 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-need-escaped/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-need-escaped/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 project = 'need <b>"escaped"</b> project'
 smartquotes = False
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-nested-enumerated-list/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-nested-enumerated-list/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-nested-enumerated-list/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-nested-enumerated-list/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-numfig/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-numfig/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-numfig/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-numfig/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-prolog/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-prolog/conf.py
index f6e19c044..e5ce87151 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-prolog/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-prolog/conf.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import sys
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 
 
-master_doc = 'index'
 extensions = ['prolog_markdown_parser']
 
 rst_prolog = '*Hello world*.\n\n'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-pycode-egg/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-pycode-egg/conf.py
index 8840900a2..af0c14e26 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-pycode-egg/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-pycode-egg/conf.py
@@ -2,5 +2,4 @@ import os
 import sys
 
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('sample-0.0.0-py3.7.egg'))
-master_doc = 'index'
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autodoc']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-refonly_bullet_list/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-refonly_bullet_list/conf.py
index 5c878531a..64f502e9d 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-refonly_bullet_list/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-refonly_bullet_list/conf.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_compact_lists = False
 
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-roles-download/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-roles-download/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-roles-download/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-roles-download/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-search/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-search/conf.py
index 38b8b28c5..8613f5f0f 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-search/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-search/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 html_search_language = 'en'
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-smartquotes/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-smartquotes/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-smartquotes/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-smartquotes/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-stylesheets/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-stylesheets/conf.py
index f67c13cf5..fa37130a5 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-stylesheets/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-stylesheets/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 templates_path = ['_templates']
 
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-theming/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-theming/conf.py
index 7b6726b15..062b9cf83 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-theming/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-theming/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 html_theme = 'test-theme'
 html_theme_path = ['.', 'test_theme']
-master_doc = 'index'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-tocdepth/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-tocdepth/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-tocdepth/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-tocdepth/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-toctree-empty/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-toctree-empty/conf.py
index ce27eb5fe..171892c11 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-toctree-empty/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-toctree-empty/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 templates_path = ['_templates']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-toctree-glob/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-toctree-glob/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-toctree-glob/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-toctree-glob/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-toctree-maxdepth/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-toctree-maxdepth/conf.py
index d506716e5..46bb290c9 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-toctree-maxdepth/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-toctree-maxdepth/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
 html_theme = 'classic'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-toctree/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-toctree/conf.py
index a98b9c425..e274bde80 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-toctree/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-toctree/conf.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-trim_doctest_flags/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-trim_doctest_flags/conf.py
index 41452bb81..6ec1f73ab 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-trim_doctest_flags/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-trim_doctest_flags/conf.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
-master_doc = 'index'
-
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.doctest']
 
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'The basic Sphinx documentation for testing', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-versioning/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-versioning/conf.py
index fb54e7972..6344cb0dd 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-versioning/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-versioning/conf.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 project = 'versioning test root'
-master_doc = 'index'
 source_suffix = '.txt'
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-warnings/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-warnings/conf.py
index 4b57aebcb..2107708f1 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-warnings/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-warnings/conf.py
@@ -2,9 +2,8 @@ import os
 import sys
 sys.path.append(os.path.abspath('.'))
 
-master_doc = 'index'
 extensions = ['sphinx.ext.autodoc']
 
 latex_documents = [
-    (master_doc, 'test.tex', 'test-warnings', 'Sphinx', 'report')
+    ('index', 'test.tex', 'test-warnings', 'Sphinx', 'report')
 ]
diff --git a/tests/test_build.py b/tests/test_build.py
index 615f22c97..c62b365fc 100644
--- a/tests/test_build.py
+++ b/tests/test_build.py
@@ -73,12 +73,12 @@ def test_build_all(requests_head, make_app, nonascii_srcdir, buildername):
 
 
 def test_master_doc_not_found(tempdir, make_app):
-    (tempdir / 'conf.py').write_text('master_doc = "index"')
+    (tempdir / 'conf.py').write_text('')
     assert tempdir.listdir() == ['conf.py']
 
     app = make_app('dummy', srcdir=tempdir)
     with pytest.raises(SphinxError):
-        app.builder.build_all()
+        app.builder.build_all()  # no index.rst
 
 
 @pytest.mark.sphinx(buildername='text', testroot='circular')
diff --git a/tests/test_build_manpage.py b/tests/test_build_manpage.py
index 9b33be757..663db8439 100644
--- a/tests/test_build_manpage.py
+++ b/tests/test_build_manpage.py
@@ -31,8 +31,7 @@ def test_all(app, status, warning):
 
 
 def test_default_man_pages():
-    config = Config({'master_doc': 'index',
-                     'project': 'STASI™ Documentation',
+    config = Config({'project': 'STASI™ Documentation',
                      'author': "Wolfgang Schäuble & G'Beckstein",
                      'release': '1.0'})
     config.init_values()
diff --git a/tests/test_build_texinfo.py b/tests/test_build_texinfo.py
index c108eb4a4..e47042f9c 100644
--- a/tests/test_build_texinfo.py
+++ b/tests/test_build_texinfo.py
@@ -93,8 +93,7 @@ def test_texinfo_citation(app, status, warning):
 
 
 def test_default_texinfo_documents():
-    config = Config({'master_doc': 'index',
-                     'project': 'STASI™ Documentation',
+    config = Config({'project': 'STASI™ Documentation',
                      'author': "Wolfgang Schäuble & G'Beckstein"})
     config.init_values()
     expected = [('index', 'stasi', 'STASI™ Documentation',