diff --git a/lib/matobj.gi b/lib/matobj.gi
index 3dd194e6eb..2bc5fd5987 100644
--- a/lib/matobj.gi
+++ b/lib/matobj.gi
@@ -297,6 +297,10 @@ InstallMethod( Matrix,
 
 InstallMethod( Matrix,
     [ IsSemiring, IsList ],
+# rank higher than a method in the semigroups package, which otherwise jumps
+# in and causes an error when testing
+# line 318 of semigroups-3.4.0/gap/elements/semiringmat.gi
+20,
     function( R, list )
     if Length(list) = 0 then
       Error( "list must be not empty" );