diff --git a/tests/test_markov_ircplugin.py b/tests/test_markov_ircplugin.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaebc92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_markov_ircplugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+"""Test IRC behavior of the markov plugin."""
+from unittest import mock
+
+from django.test import TestCase
+
+from ircbot.models import IrcServer
+from markov.ircplugin import Markov
+
+
+class MarkovTestCase(TestCase):
+    """Test the markov plugin."""
+
+    fixtures = ['tests/fixtures/irc_server_fixture.json']
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """Create common objects."""
+        self.mock_bot = mock.MagicMock()
+        self.mock_connection = mock.MagicMock()
+
+        self.mock_connection.get_nickname.return_value = 'test_bot'
+        self.mock_connection.server_config = IrcServer.objects.get(pk=1)
+
+        self.plugin = Markov(self.mock_bot, self.mock_connection, mock.MagicMock())
+
+    def test_learn(self):
+        """Test that an IRC event triggers learning as expected."""
+        mock_event = mock.MagicMock()
+        mock_event.arguments = ['hello this is a test message']
+        mock_event.target = '#test'
+        mock_event.recursing = False
+
+        with mock.patch('markov.lib.learn_line') as mock_learn_line:
+            self.plugin.handle_chatter(self.mock_connection, mock_event)
+
+        self.assertEqual(mock_learn_line.call_args.args[0], 'hello this is a test message')