diff --git a/libexec/pyenv-exec b/libexec/pyenv-exec
index 6ed5ac20..2368bdd3 100755
--- a/libexec/pyenv-exec
+++ b/libexec/pyenv-exec
@@ -29,6 +29,14 @@ if [ -z "$PYENV_COMMAND" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
+if [[ -n $_PYENV_SHIM_PATH ]]; then
+  PROGRAM="$(echo "$PYENV_COMMAND" | tr a-z- A-Z_ | sed 's/[^A-Z0-9_]/_/g')"
+  NR_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_PROGRAM="_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_${PROGRAM}"
+  export -- "$NR_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_PROGRAM=$_PYENV_SHIM_PATH${!NR_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_PROGRAM:+:${!NR_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_PROGRAM}}"
+  unset PROGRAM NR_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_PROGRAM
+  unset _PYENV_SHIM_PATH
+fi
+
 PYENV_COMMAND_PATH="$(pyenv-which "$PYENV_COMMAND")"
 PYENV_BIN_PATH="${PYENV_COMMAND_PATH%/*}"
 export PYENV_VERSION
diff --git a/libexec/pyenv-rehash b/libexec/pyenv-rehash
index 745cfb8e..61000ff6 100755
--- a/libexec/pyenv-rehash
+++ b/libexec/pyenv-rehash
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ set -e
 program="\${0##*/}"
 
 export PYENV_ROOT="$PYENV_ROOT"
+SHIM_PATH=\${0%/*}
+if [[ \$SHIM_PATH != "$PYENV_ROOT/shims" ]]; then
+  export _PYENV_SHIM_PATH="\$SHIM_PATH"
+fi
 exec "$(command -v pyenv)" exec "\$program" "\$@"
 SH
   chmod +x "$PROTOTYPE_SHIM_PATH"
diff --git a/libexec/pyenv-which b/libexec/pyenv-which
index 9ff3ddae..0ebf8219 100755
--- a/libexec/pyenv-which
+++ b/libexec/pyenv-which
@@ -42,15 +42,19 @@ done
 
 
 remove_from_path() {
-  local path_to_remove="$1"
-  local path_before
+  local -a paths_to_remove
+  IFS=: paths_to_remove=($1)
+  local path_to_remove path_before
   local result=":${PATH//\~/$HOME}:"
-  while [ "$path_before" != "$result" ]; do
-    path_before="$result"
-    result="${result//:$path_to_remove:/:}"
+  for path_to_remove in "${paths_to_remove[@]}"; do
+    while true; do
+      path_before="$result"
+      result="${result//:$path_to_remove:/:}"
+      if [[ ${#path_before} == "${#result}" ]]; then break; fi
+    done
   done
-  result="${result%:}"
-  echo "${result#:}"
+  result="${result:1:${#result}-2}"
+  echo "$result"
 }
 
 if [ -z "$PYENV_COMMAND" ]; then
@@ -66,8 +70,10 @@ declare -a nonexistent_versions
 
 for version in "${versions[@]}" "$system"; do
   if [ "$version" = "system" ]; then
-    PATH="$(remove_from_path "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims")"
-    PYENV_COMMAND_PATH="$(command -v "$PYENV_COMMAND" || true)"
+    PROGRAM="$(echo "$PYENV_COMMAND" | tr a-z- A-Z_ | sed 's/[^A-Z0-9_]/_/g')"
+    NR_CUSTOM_SHIM_PATHS="_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_$PROGRAM"
+    SEARCH_PATH="$(remove_from_path "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims${!NR_CUSTOM_SHIM_PATHS:+:${!NR_CUSTOM_SHIM_PATHS}}")"
+    PYENV_COMMAND_PATH="$(PATH="$SEARCH_PATH" command -v "$PYENV_COMMAND" || true)"
   else
     # $version may be a prefix to be resolved by pyenv-latest
     version_path="$(pyenv-prefix "${version}" 2>/dev/null)" || \
diff --git a/test/exec.bats b/test/exec.bats
index cf818dbe..ff49912b 100644
--- a/test/exec.bats
+++ b/test/exec.bats
@@ -2,18 +2,6 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-create_executable() {
-  name="${1?}"
-  shift 1
-  bin="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  { if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then cat -
-    else printf '%s\n' "$@"
-    fi
-  } | sed -Ee '1s/^ +//' > "${bin}/$name"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$name"
-}
-
 @test "fails with invalid version" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.4"
@@ -38,8 +26,8 @@ EOF
 
 @test "completes with names of executables" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.4"
-  create_executable "fab" "#!/bin/sh"
-  create_executable "python" "#!/bin/sh"
+  create_alt_executable "fab"
+  create_alt_executable "python"
 
   pyenv-rehash
   run pyenv-completions exec
@@ -65,7 +53,7 @@ SH
 
 @test "forwards all arguments" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.4"
-  create_executable "python" <<SH
+  create_alt_executable "python" <<SH
 #!$BASH
 echo \$0
 for arg; do
@@ -87,16 +75,13 @@ OUT
 }
 
 @test "sys.executable with system version (#98)" {
-  export PATH="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/bin:${PATH}"
-  create_executable "python3" <<SH
-#!$BASH
-echo system
-SH
-  system_python="$(python3)"
+  create_path_executable "python3" "echo system"
+
+  system_python="$(python3 </dev/null)"
   assert_equal "${system_python}" "system"
 
   export PYENV_VERSION="custom"
-  create_executable "python3" "#!/bin/sh" "echo custom"
+  create_alt_executable "python3" "echo custom"
 
   pyenv-rehash
 
@@ -105,19 +90,16 @@ SH
 }
 
 @test 'PATH is not modified with system Python' {
-  export PATH="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}:${PATH}"
   # Create a wrapper executable that verifies PATH.
-  PYENV_VERSION="custom"
-  create_executable "python3" '[[ "$PATH" == "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/root/versions/custom/bin:"* ]] || { echo "unexpected:$PATH"; exit 2;}'
-  unset PYENV_VERSION
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "custom" "python3" <<!
+[[ \$PATH == "\${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/custom/bin:"* ]] \
+  || { echo "unexpected:\$PATH"; exit 2;}
+!
   pyenv-rehash
 
   # Path is not modified with system Python.
-  cat > "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/python3" <<SH
-#!$BASH
-echo \$PATH
-SH
-  chmod +x "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/python3"
+  create_path_executable "python3" "echo \$PATH"
+
   pyenv-rehash
   run pyenv-exec python3
   assert_success "$PATH"
@@ -134,3 +116,26 @@ SH
   PYENV_VERSION=system:custom run pyenv-exec python3
   assert_success "$PATH"
 }
+
+@test "sets/adds to _PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_{PROGRAM} when _PYENV_SHIM_PATH is set, unsets _PYENV_SHIM_PATH" {
+  progname='123;wacky-prog.name ^%$#'
+  envvarname="_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_123_WACKY_PROG_NAME_____"
+  create_path_executable "$progname" <<!
+echo $envvarname="\$$envvarname"
+echo _PYENV_SHIM_PATH="\$_PYENV_SHIM_PATH"
+!
+  _PYENV_SHIM_PATH=/unusual/shim/location run pyenv-exec "$progname"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+$envvarname=/unusual/shim/location
+_PYENV_SHIM_PATH=
+!
+
+  eval "export ${envvarname}=/another/shim/location"
+  _PYENV_SHIM_PATH=/unusual/shim/location run pyenv-exec "$progname"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+$envvarname=/unusual/shim/location:/another/shim/location
+_PYENV_SHIM_PATH=
+!
+}
diff --git a/test/init.bats b/test/init.bats
index f5355591..2b963249 100755
--- a/test/init.bats
+++ b/test/init.bats
@@ -2,18 +2,6 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-_setup() {
-  export PATH="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin:$PATH"
-}
-
-create_executable() {
-  local name="$1"
-  local bin="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  sed -Ee '1s/^ +//' > "${bin}/$name"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$name"
-}
-
 @test "creates shims and versions directories" {
   assert [ ! -d "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" ]
   assert [ ! -d "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions" ]
@@ -179,16 +167,14 @@ echo "\$PATH"
 }
 
 @test "outputs sh-compatible case syntax" {
-  create_executable pyenv-commands <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-commands <<!
 echo -e 'activate\ndeactivate\nrehash\nshell'
 !
   run pyenv-init - bash
   assert_success
   assert_line '  activate|deactivate|rehash|shell)'
 
-  create_executable pyenv-commands <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-commands <<!
 echo
 !
   run pyenv-init - bash
diff --git a/test/latest.bats b/test/latest.bats
index a2c3778f..6ed817b8 100644
--- a/test/latest.bats
+++ b/test/latest.bats
@@ -2,21 +2,8 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-_setup() {
-  export PATH="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin:$PATH"
-}
-
-create_executable() {
-  local name="$1"
-  local bin="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  sed -Ee '1s/^ +//' > "${bin}/$name"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$name"
-}
-
 @test "read from installed" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo 4.5.6
 !
   run pyenv-latest 4
@@ -27,8 +14,7 @@ echo 4.5.6
 }
 
 @test "read from known" {
-  create_executable python-build <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub python-build <<!
 echo 4.5.6
 !
   run pyenv-latest -k 4
@@ -39,8 +25,7 @@ echo 4.5.6
 }
 
 @test "installed version not found" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo 3.5.6
 echo 3.10.8
 !
@@ -52,8 +37,7 @@ pyenv: no installed versions match the prefix \`3.8'
 }
 
 @test "known version not found" {
-  create_executable python-build <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub python-build <<!
 echo 3.5.6
 echo 3.10.8
 !
@@ -65,8 +49,7 @@ pyenv: no known versions match the prefix \`3.8'
 }
 
 @test "complete name resolves to itself" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo foo
 echo foo.bar
 !
@@ -80,8 +63,7 @@ foo
 }
 
 @test "sort CPython" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo 2.7.18
 echo 3.5.6
 echo 3.10.8
@@ -95,8 +77,7 @@ echo 3.10.6
 }
 
 @test "ignores rolling releases, branch tips, alternative srcs, prereleases, virtualenvs; 't' versions if prefix without 't'" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo 3.8.5-dev
 echo 3.8.5-src
 echo 3.8.5-latest
@@ -117,8 +98,7 @@ echo 3.8.1/envs/foo
 }
 
 @test "resolves to a 't' version if prefix has 't'" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
+  create_stub pyenv-versions <<!
 echo 3.13.2t
 echo 3.13.5
 echo 3.13.5t
@@ -132,9 +112,7 @@ echo 3.14.6
 }
 
 @test "falls back to argument with -b" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
-!
+  create_stub pyenv-versions
   run pyenv-latest -b nonexistent
   assert_failure
   assert_output <<!
@@ -143,9 +121,7 @@ nonexistent
 }
 
 @test "falls back to argument and succeeds with -f" {
-  create_executable pyenv-versions <<!
-#!$BASH
-!
+  create_stub pyenv-versions
   run pyenv-latest -f nonexistent
   assert_success
   assert_output <<!
diff --git a/test/pip-rehash.bats b/test/pip-rehash.bats
index f5b065e6..b8a1afa0 100755
--- a/test/pip-rehash.bats
+++ b/test/pip-rehash.bats
@@ -2,13 +2,6 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-create_executable() {
-  local bin="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${PYENV_VERSION}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  echo "#!/bin/sh" > "${bin}/$1"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$1"
-}
-
 copy_src_pyenvd() {
   mkdir -p "${PYENV_ROOT}"
   cp -r "${BATS_TEST_DIRNAME}/../pyenv.d" "${PYENV_ROOT}"
@@ -16,8 +9,8 @@ copy_src_pyenvd() {
 
 @test "pip-rehash triggered when using 'pip'" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.7.14"
-  create_executable "example"
-  create_executable "pip"
+  create_alt_executable "example"
+  create_alt_executable "pip"
   copy_src_pyenvd
   run command -v example 2> /dev/null
   assert_failure
@@ -29,8 +22,8 @@ copy_src_pyenvd() {
 
 @test "pip-rehash triggered when using 'pip3'" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.7.14"
-  create_executable "example"
-  create_executable "pip3"
+  create_alt_executable "example"
+  create_alt_executable "pip3"
   copy_src_pyenvd
   run command -v example 2> /dev/null
   assert_failure
@@ -42,8 +35,8 @@ copy_src_pyenvd() {
 
 @test "pip-rehash triggered when using 'pip3.x'" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.7.14"
-  create_executable "example"
-  create_executable "pip3.7"
+  create_alt_executable "example"
+  create_alt_executable "pip3.7"
   copy_src_pyenvd
   run command -v example 2> /dev/null
   assert_failure
@@ -55,8 +48,8 @@ copy_src_pyenvd() {
 
 @test "pip-rehash triggered when using 'python -m pip install'" {
   export PYENV_VERSION="3.7.14"
-  create_executable "example"
-  create_executable "python"
+  create_alt_executable "example"
+  create_alt_executable "python"
   copy_src_pyenvd
   run command -v example 2> /dev/null
   assert_failure
diff --git a/test/rehash.bats b/test/rehash.bats
index 860d9d79..cda2a074 100755
--- a/test/rehash.bats
+++ b/test/rehash.bats
@@ -2,13 +2,6 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-create_executable() {
-  local bin="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${1}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  touch "${bin}/$2"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$2"
-}
-
 @test "empty rehash" {
   assert [ ! -d "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" ]
   run pyenv-rehash
@@ -42,10 +35,10 @@ create_executable() {
 }
 
 @test "creates shims" {
-  create_executable "2.7" "python"
-  create_executable "2.7" "fab"
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "fab"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
 
   assert [ ! -e "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/fab" ]
   assert [ ! -e "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/python" ]
@@ -68,8 +61,8 @@ OUT
   touch "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/oldshim1"
   chmod +x "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/oldshim1"
 
-  create_executable "3.4" "fab"
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "fab"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
 
   run pyenv-rehash
   assert_success ""
@@ -78,8 +71,8 @@ OUT
 }
 
 @test "binary install locations containing spaces" {
-  create_executable "dirname1 p247" "python"
-  create_executable "dirname2 preview1" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "dirname1 p247" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "dirname2 preview1" "py.test"
 
   assert [ ! -e "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/python" ]
   assert [ ! -e "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/py.test" ]
@@ -108,29 +101,54 @@ SH
 }
 
 @test "sh-rehash in bash" {
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
   PYENV_SHELL=bash run pyenv-sh-rehash
   assert_success "command pyenv rehash
 hash -r 2>/dev/null || true"
 }
 
 @test "sh-rehash in bash (integration)" {
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
   run eval "$(pyenv-sh-rehash)"
   assert_success
   assert [ -x "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/python" ]
 }
 
 @test "sh-rehash in fish" {
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
   PYENV_SHELL=fish run pyenv-sh-rehash
   assert_success "command pyenv rehash"
 }
 
 @test "sh-rehash in fish (integration)" {
   command -v fish >/dev/null || skip "-- fish not installed" 
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
   run fish -Nc "eval (pyenv-sh-rehash)"
   assert_success
   assert [ -x "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/python" ]
 }
+
+@test "shim sets _PYENV_SHIM_PATH when linked from elsewhere" {
+  export PYENV_VERSION="custom"
+  create_alt_executable python3
+  #must stub pyenv before rehash 'cuz the path is hardcoded into shims
+  create_stub pyenv <<!
+[[ \$1 == 'exec' ]] && \
+echo _PYENV_SHIM_PATH="\$_PYENV_SHIM_PATH"
+!
+  pyenv-rehash
+  mkdir -p "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/alt-shim"
+  ln -s "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/python3" "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/alt-shim/python3"
+  
+  run "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/alt-shim/python3"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+_PYENV_SHIM_PATH=${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/alt-shim
+!
+
+  run python3
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+_PYENV_SHIM_PATH=
+!
+}
diff --git a/test/shims-linked-from-elsewhere.bats b/test/shims-linked-from-elsewhere.bats
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b3e67b06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/shims-linked-from-elsewhere.bats
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+load test_helper
+
+@test "shims linked from elsewhere are chained, other programs at the same paths are unaffected (integration)" {
+  bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
+  progname=shimmed_program
+  called_progname=another_program
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "custom" "$progname" <<!
+echo "called from \$0"
+pyenv-exec "$called_progname"
+!
+  pyenv-rehash
+  PATH="$(path_without "$progname" "$called_progname")"
+  for disguised_shim_path in "$BATS_TEST_TMPDIR/"{weird-location,even/weirder/location}; do
+    mkdir -p "$disguised_shim_path"
+    ln -s "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims/$progname" "$disguised_shim_path/$progname"
+    PATH="$PATH:$disguised_shim_path"
+  done
+  create_executable "$disguised_shim_path" "$called_progname" <<!
+echo "convoluted call success!"
+!
+  real_path="$BATS_TEST_TMPDIR/real-location"
+  mkdir -p "$real_path"
+  ln -s "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/custom/bin/$progname" "$real_path/$progname"
+  PATH="$PATH:$real_path"
+  
+  run "$progname"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+called from $real_path/$progname
+convoluted call success!
+!
+
+  rm "$real_path/$progname"
+  run -127 "$progname"
+  assert_failure
+  assert_line 0 "pyenv: shimmed_program: command not found"
+}
diff --git a/test/test_helper.bash b/test/test_helper.bash
index 0a760b2f..8b6d4ca8 100644
--- a/test/test_helper.bash
+++ b/test/test_helper.bash
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ unset PYENV_VERSION
 unset PYENV_DIR
 
 setup() {
+  export PS4='+(${BASH_SOURCE}:${LINENO}): ${FUNCNAME[0]:+${FUNCNAME[0]}(): }'
   if ! enable -f "${BATS_TEST_DIRNAME}"/../libexec/pyenv-realpath.dylib realpath 2>/dev/null; then
     if [ -n "$PYENV_NATIVE_EXT" ]; then
       echo "pyenv: failed to load \`realpath' builtin" >&2
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ setup() {
   PATH="${BATS_TEST_DIRNAME%/*}/libexec:$PATH"
   PATH="${BATS_TEST_DIRNAME}/libexec:$PATH"
   PATH="${PYENV_ROOT}/shims:$PATH"
-  export PATH
+  PATH="${BATS_TEST_TMPDIR}/stubs:$PATH"
 
   for xdg_var in `env 2>/dev/null | grep ^XDG_ | cut -d= -f1`; do unset "$xdg_var"; done
   unset xdg_var
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ path_without() {
       if [ "$found" != "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" ]; then
         alt="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/$(echo "${found#/}" | tr '/' '-')"
         mkdir -p "$alt"
-        for util in bash head cut readlink greadlink; do
+        for util in bash head cut readlink greadlink tr sed; do
           if [ -x "${found}/$util" ]; then
             ln -s "${found}/$util" "${alt}/$util"
           fi
@@ -141,6 +142,43 @@ path_without() {
   echo "$path"
 }
 
+create_path_executable() {
+  create_executable "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin" "$@"
+}
+
+create_alt_executable() {
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "${PYENV_VERSION}" "$@"
+}
+
+create_alt_executable_in_version() {
+  local version="${1:?}"
+  shift 1
+  create_executable "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/$version/bin" "$@"
+}
+
+create_stub() {
+  create_executable "${BATS_TEST_TMPDIR}/stubs" "$@"
+}
+
+create_executable() {
+  local bin="${1:?}"
+  local name="${2:?}"
+  shift 2
+  mkdir -p "$bin"
+  local payload
+  # Bats doesn't redirect stdin
+  if [[ $# -eq 0 && ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    payload="$(cat -)"
+  else
+    payload="$(printf '%s\n' "$@")"
+  fi
+  if [[ $payload != "#!/"* ]]; then
+    payload="#!$BASH"$'\n'"$payload"
+  fi
+  echo "$payload" > "${bin}/$name"
+  chmod +x "${bin}/$name"
+}
+
 create_hook() {
   mkdir -p "${PYENV_HOOK_PATH}/$1"
   touch "${PYENV_HOOK_PATH}/$1/$2"
diff --git a/test/versions.bats b/test/versions.bats
index e14285fc..58ab032c 100644
--- a/test/versions.bats
+++ b/test/versions.bats
@@ -22,14 +22,6 @@ stub_system_python() {
   touch "$stub" && chmod +x "$stub"
 }
 
-create_executable() {
-  local name="$1"
-  local bin="${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  sed -Ee '1s/^ +//' > "${bin}/$name"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$name"
-}
-
 @test "no versions installed" {
   stub_system_python
   assert [ ! -d "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions" ]
@@ -199,7 +191,7 @@ OUT
   create_version "1.9.0"
   create_version "1.53.0"
   create_version "1.218.0"
-  create_executable sort <<SH
+  create_path_executable sort <<SH
 #!$BASH
 cat >/dev/null
 if [ "\$1" == "--version-sort" ]; then
@@ -223,7 +215,7 @@ OUT
   create_version "1.9.0"
   create_version "1.53.0"
   create_version "1.218.0"
-  create_executable sort <<SH
+  create_path_executable sort <<SH
 #!$BASH
 exit 1
 SH
diff --git a/test/whence.bats b/test/whence.bats
index 8d1d7928..9223369a 100644
--- a/test/whence.bats
+++ b/test/whence.bats
@@ -2,18 +2,11 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-create_executable() {
-  local bin="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${1}/bin"
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  touch "${bin}/$2"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$2"
-}
-
 @test "finds versions where present" {
-  create_executable "2.7" "python"
-  create_executable "2.7" "fab"
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "fab"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
 
   run pyenv-whence python
   assert_success
diff --git a/test/which.bats b/test/which.bats
index cbd6f74a..e54c1704 100644
--- a/test/which.bats
+++ b/test/which.bats
@@ -2,19 +2,9 @@
 
 load test_helper
 
-create_executable() {
-  local bin
-  if [[ $1 == */* ]]; then bin="$1"
-  else bin="${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/${1}/bin"
-  fi
-  mkdir -p "$bin"
-  touch "${bin}/$2"
-  chmod +x "${bin}/$2"
-}
-
 @test "outputs path to executable" {
-  create_executable "2.7" "python"
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
 
   PYENV_VERSION=2.7 run pyenv-which python
   assert_success "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/2.7/bin/python"
@@ -27,7 +17,7 @@ create_executable() {
 }
 
 @test "searches PATH for system version" {
-  create_executable "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin" "kill-all-humans"
+  create_path_executable "kill-all-humans"
   create_executable "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" "kill-all-humans"
 
   PYENV_VERSION=system run pyenv-which kill-all-humans
@@ -35,7 +25,7 @@ create_executable() {
 }
 
 @test "searches PATH for system version (shims prepended)" {
-  create_executable "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin" "kill-all-humans"
+  create_path_executable "kill-all-humans"
   create_executable "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" "kill-all-humans"
 
   PATH="${PYENV_ROOT}/shims:$PATH" PYENV_VERSION=system run pyenv-which kill-all-humans
@@ -43,7 +33,7 @@ create_executable() {
 }
 
 @test "searches PATH for system version (shims appended)" {
-  create_executable "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin" "kill-all-humans"
+  create_path_executable "kill-all-humans"
   create_executable "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" "kill-all-humans"
 
   PATH="$PATH:${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" PYENV_VERSION=system run pyenv-which kill-all-humans
@@ -51,7 +41,7 @@ create_executable() {
 }
 
 @test "searches PATH for system version (shims spread)" {
-  create_executable "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin" "kill-all-humans"
+  create_path_executable "kill-all-humans"
   create_executable "${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" "kill-all-humans"
 
   PATH="${PYENV_ROOT}/shims:${PYENV_ROOT}/shims:/tmp/non-existent:$PATH:${PYENV_ROOT}/shims" \
@@ -61,17 +51,15 @@ create_executable() {
 
 @test "doesn't include current directory in PATH search" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  mkdir -p "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
+  create_executable "$PYENV_TEST_DIR" kill-all-humans
   cd "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
-  touch kill-all-humans
-  chmod +x kill-all-humans
   PATH="$(path_without "kill-all-humans")" PYENV_VERSION=system run -127 pyenv-which kill-all-humans
   assert_failure "pyenv: kill-all-humans: command not found"
 }
 
 @test "version not installed" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
   PYENV_VERSION=3.3 run -127 pyenv-which py.test
   assert_failure <<OUT
 pyenv: version \`3.3' is not installed (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
@@ -87,7 +75,7 @@ OUT
 
 @test "versions not installed" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
   PYENV_VERSION=2.7:3.3 run -127 pyenv-which py.test
   assert_failure <<OUT
 pyenv: version \`2.7' is not installed (set by PYENV_VERSION environment variable)
@@ -104,7 +92,7 @@ OUT
 
 @test "no executable found" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  create_executable "2.7" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "py.test"
   PYENV_VERSION=2.7 run -127 pyenv-which fab
   assert_failure "pyenv: fab: command not found"
 }
@@ -117,9 +105,9 @@ OUT
 
 @test "executable found in other versions" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  create_executable "2.7" "python"
-  create_executable "3.3" "py.test"
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.3" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
 
   PYENV_VERSION=2.7 run -127 pyenv-which py.test
   assert_failure
@@ -150,7 +138,7 @@ SH
 @test "discovers version from pyenv-version-name" {
   mkdir -p "$PYENV_ROOT"
   cat > "${PYENV_ROOT}/version" <<<"3.4"
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
 
   mkdir -p "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
   cd "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
@@ -165,7 +153,7 @@ SH
 2.7
 3.4
 EOF
-  create_executable "3.4" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "python"
 
   mkdir -p "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
   cd "$PYENV_TEST_DIR"
@@ -175,7 +163,7 @@ EOF
 }
 
 @test "resolves pyenv-latest prefixes" {
-  create_executable "3.4.2" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4.2" "python"
   
   PYENV_VERSION=3.4 run pyenv-which python
   assert_success "${PYENV_ROOT}/versions/3.4.2/bin/python"
@@ -187,7 +175,7 @@ echo version=\$version
 exit
 !
 
-  create_executable "3.4.2" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4.2" "python"
 
   PYENV_VERSION=3.4 run pyenv-which python
   assert_success "version=3.4.2"
@@ -195,9 +183,9 @@ exit
 
 @test "skip advice supresses error messages" {
   bats_require_minimum_version 1.5.0
-  create_executable "2.7" "python"
-  create_executable "3.3" "py.test"
-  create_executable "3.4" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "2.7" "python"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.3" "py.test"
+  create_alt_executable_in_version "3.4" "py.test"
 
   PYENV_VERSION=2.7 run -127 pyenv-which py.test --skip-advice
   assert_failure
@@ -205,3 +193,29 @@ exit
 pyenv: py.test: command not found
 OUT
 }
+
+@test "excludes paths in _PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_{PROGRAM} from search only for PROGRAM" {
+  progname='123;wacky-prog.name ^%$#'
+  envvarname="_PYENV_SHIM_PATHS_123_WACKY_PROG_NAME_____"
+  create_path_executable "$progname"
+
+  for dir_ in "$BATS_TEST_TMPDIR/alt-path"{1,2}; do
+    mkdir -p "$dir_"
+    ln -s "${PYENV_TEST_DIR}/bin/$progname" "$dir_/$progname"
+    eval 'export '"$envvarname"'="$dir_${'"$envvarname"':+:$'"$envvarname"'}"'
+    PATH="$dir_:$PATH"
+  done
+  create_executable "$dir_" "normal_program"
+  
+  run pyenv-which "$progname"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+$PYENV_TEST_DIR/bin/$progname
+!
+
+  run pyenv-which "normal_program"
+  assert_success
+  assert_output <<!
+$dir_/normal_program
+!
+}