--- a/_apycotlib/checkers/python.py	Thu Feb 27 10:31:26 2014 +0100
+++ b/_apycotlib/checkers/python.py	Fri Apr 25 14:21:23 2014 +0200
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@
 
     def __init__(self, writer, options=None):
         BaseChecker.__init__(self, writer, options)
+        self.coverage_data = None
         self._path = None
         self.test = None
 
@@ -602,9 +603,9 @@
     def do_check(self, test):
         """run the checker against <path> (usually a directory)"""
         self.threshold = float(self.options.get('coverage_threshold')) / 100
-        self.coverage_data = self.options.get('coverage_data')
-        if not exists(self.coverage_data):
-            self.writer.fatal('no coverage information', path=self.coverage_data)
+        coverage_data = self.options.get('coverage_data')
+        if coverage_data == None or not exists(coverage_data):
+            self.writer.fatal('no coverage information', path=coverage_data)
             return NODATA
         line_rate, branch_rate = self._get_cover_info(test)
         # in case of error during coverage reporting
@@ -630,7 +631,7 @@
         if coverage is None:
             raise Exception('install python-coverage')
         covertool = coverage.coverage()
-        covertool.use_cache(self.coverage_data)
+        covertool.use_cache(self.options.get('coverage_data'))
         covertool.load()
         try:
             report_file = join(test.project_path(), "coverage.xml")

--- a/recipes.py	Thu Feb 27 10:31:26 2014 +0100
+++ b/recipes.py	Fri Apr 25 14:21:23 2014 +0200
@@ -16,13 +16,18 @@
 full_script = u'''
 from apycotlib import registered, narvalactions as na
 from checkers.apycot import python # trigger registration
+from apycotlib import ERROR
 # `plan`
 
 with na.apycot_environment(plan) as test:
     na.install_environment(test)
-    checker, status = test.run_checker('pyunit')
     if registered('checker', 'pylint'): # pylint may not be available
         checker, status = test.run_checker('pylint')
+    checker, status = test.run_checker('pyunit', pycoverage=True)
+    if status > ERROR:
+        checker, status = test.run_checker('pycoverage',
+                                            coverage_data=checker.coverage_data)
+
 '''
 def create_full_recipe(session):
     return session.create_entity('Recipe', name=u'apycot.recipe.full',

--- a/test/test_functional.py	Thu Feb 27 10:31:26 2014 +0100
+++ b/test/test_functional.py	Fri Apr 25 14:21:23 2014 +0200
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
         te = tc.start(self.lgce)
         self.commit()
         self.run_plan(te)
-        exp = {u'pyunit': u'nodata'}
+        exp = {u'pycoverage': u'error', u'pyunit': u'nodata'}
         try:
             from pylint import checkers as pycheckers
             from pylint.lint import PyLinter
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@
             exp['pylint'] = u'error'
         except:
             pass
-
         self.assertDictEqual(exp,
                              dict((checker.name, checker.status) for checker in te.checkers),
                              )