diff --git a/testsuite/Makefile.am b/testsuite/Makefile.am
index 8c042897d..3420a072e 100644
--- a/testsuite/Makefile.am
+++ b/testsuite/Makefile.am
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ tree_sequences_tree_sequence_tests_SOURCES=tree_sequences/tree_sequence_tests.cc
 										tree_sequences/test_diploid_recording.cc \
 										tree_sequences/wfevolve_table_collection_fxns.cc \
 										tree_sequences/test_edge_buffering_std_table_collection.cc \
-										tree_sequences/tskit_utils.cc
+										tree_sequences/tskit_utils.cc \
+										tree_sequences/test_tree_sequence.cc
 
 tree_sequences_tree_sequence_tests_CFLAGS=-std=c99
 
diff --git a/testsuite/tree_sequences/test_tree_sequence.cc b/testsuite/tree_sequences/test_tree_sequence.cc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0af150d81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testsuite/tree_sequences/test_tree_sequence.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
+#include <fwdpp/ts/types/tree_sequence.hpp>
+
+using tree_sequence = fwdpp::ts::types::tree_sequence<std::int32_t>;
+using tree_sequence64 = fwdpp::ts::types::tree_sequence<std::int64_t>;
+
+//explicit instantiations
+template class fwdpp::ts::types::tree_sequence<std::int32_t>;
+template class fwdpp::ts::types::tree_sequence<std::int64_t>;
+