diff --git a/HISTORY.rst b/HISTORY.rst
index 8d526a6c..64971a1f 100644
--- a/HISTORY.rst
+++ b/HISTORY.rst
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ PlatformIO Core 6
 * Resolved an issue where the `build_cache_dir <https://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/projectconf/sections/platformio/options/directory/build_cache_dir.html>`__ setting was not being recognized consistently across multiple environments (`issue #4574 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio-core/issues/4574>`_)
 * Fixed an issue where organization details could not be updated using the `pio org update <https://docs.platformio.org/en/latest/core/userguide/org/cmd_update.html>`__ command
 * Resolved an issue where the incorrect debugging environment was generated for VSCode in "Auto" mode (`issue #4597 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio-core/issues/4597>`_)
+* Resolved an issue where native tests would fail if a custom program name was specified (`issue #4546 <https://github.com/platformio/platformio-core/issues/4546>`_)
 
 6.1.6 (2023-01-23)
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/platformio/test/runners/base.py b/platformio/test/runners/base.py
index 78425a76..845a8c37 100644
--- a/platformio/test/runners/base.py
+++ b/platformio/test/runners/base.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from platformio.exception import ReturnErrorCode
 from platformio.platform.factory import PlatformFactory
 from platformio.test.exception import UnitTestSuiteError
 from platformio.test.result import TestCase, TestStatus
-from platformio.test.runners.readers.program import ProgramTestOutputReader
+from platformio.test.runners.readers.native import NativeTestOutputReader
 from platformio.test.runners.readers.serial import SerialTestOutputReader
 
 CTX_META_TEST_IS_RUNNING = __name__ + ".test_running"
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class TestRunnerBase:
             return None
         click.secho("Testing...", bold=True)
         test_port = self.get_test_port()
-        program_conds = [
+        native_conds = [
             not self.platform.is_embedded()
             and (not test_port or "://" not in test_port),
             self.project_config.get(
@@ -168,8 +168,8 @@ class TestRunnerBase:
             ),
         ]
         reader = (
-            ProgramTestOutputReader(self)
-            if any(program_conds)
+            NativeTestOutputReader(self)
+            if any(native_conds)
             else SerialTestOutputReader(self)
         )
         return reader.begin()
diff --git a/platformio/test/runners/readers/program.py b/platformio/test/runners/readers/native.py
similarity index 91%
rename from platformio/test/runners/readers/program.py
rename to platformio/test/runners/readers/native.py
index d80d170d..981febc3 100644
--- a/platformio/test/runners/readers/program.py
+++ b/platformio/test/runners/readers/native.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from platformio.compat import (
     get_filesystem_encoding,
     get_locale_encoding,
 )
+from platformio.project.helpers import load_build_metadata
 from platformio.test.exception import UnitTestError
 
 EXITING_TIMEOUT = 5  # seconds
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ class ProgramProcessProtocol(asyncio.SubprocessProtocol):
             self._exit_timer.cancel()
 
 
-class ProgramTestOutputReader:
+class NativeTestOutputReader:
     def __init__(self, test_runner):
         self.test_runner = test_runner
         self.aio_loop = (
@@ -78,6 +79,13 @@ class ProgramTestOutputReader:
                 "program.exe" if IS_WINDOWS else "program",
             )
         ]
+        # if user changed PROGNAME
+        if not os.path.exists(cmd[0]):
+            build_data = load_build_metadata(
+                os.getcwd(), self.test_runner.test_suite.env_name, cache=True
+            )
+            if build_data:
+                cmd[0] = build_data["prog_path"]
         if self.test_runner.options.program_args:
             cmd.extend(self.test_runner.options.program_args)
         return cmd