diff --git a/features/exporting.feature b/features/exporting.feature
index 26a0f7b4..7f58876f 100644
--- a/features/exporting.feature
+++ b/features/exporting.feature
@@ -4,49 +4,19 @@ Feature: Expoting a Journal
         Given we use the config "tags.json"
         When we run "jrnl --export json"
         Then we should get no error
-        and the output should be
-            """
-            {
-              "entries": [
-                {
-                  "body": "(1) write a command line @journal software\n(2) ???\n(3) PROFIT!",
-                  "date": "2013-04-09",
-                  "time": "15:39",
-                  "title": "I have an @idea:"
-                },
-                {
-                  "body": "As alway's he shared his latest @idea on how to rule the world with me.",
-                  "date": "2013-06-10",
-                  "time": "15:40",
-                  "title": "I met with @dan."
-                }
-              ],
-              "tags": {
-                "@idea": 2,
-                "@journal": 1,
-                "@dan": 1
-              }
-            }
-            """
+        and the output should be parsable as json
+        and "entries" in the json output should have 2 elements
+        and "tags" in the json output should contain "@idea"
+        and "tags" in the json output should contain "@journal"
+        and "tags" in the json output should contain "@dan"
 
         Scenario: Exporting using filters should only export parts of the journal
             Given we use the config "tags.json"
             When we run "jrnl -to 'may 2013' --export json"
-            Then we should get no error
-            and the output should be
-                """
-                {
-                  "entries": [
-                    {
-                      "body": "(1) write a command line @journal software\n(2) ???\n(3) PROFIT!",
-                      "date": "2013-04-09",
-                      "time": "15:39",
-                      "title": "I have an @idea:"
-                    }
-                  ],
-                  "tags": {
-                    "@idea": 1,
-                    "@journal": 1
-                  }
-                }
-                """
+            # Then we should get no error
+            Then the output should be parsable as json
+            and "entries" in the json output should have 1 element
+            and "tags" in the json output should contain "@idea"
+            and "tags" in the json output should contain "@journal"
+            and "tags" in the json output should not contain "@dan"
+
diff --git a/features/steps/core.py b/features/steps/core.py
index fc9e15ff..bceab051 100644
--- a/features/steps/core.py
+++ b/features/steps/core.py
@@ -63,6 +63,33 @@ def run(context, command):
 def no_error(context):
     assert context.failed is False
 
+@then('the output should be parsable as json')
+def check_output_json(context):
+    out = context.stdout_capture.getvalue()
+    assert json.loads(out)
+
+@then('"{field}" in the json output should have {number:d} elements')
+@then('"{field}" in the json output should have 1 element')
+def check_output_field(context, field, number=1):
+    out = context.stdout_capture.getvalue()
+    out_json = json.loads(out)
+    assert field in out_json
+    assert len(out_json[field]) == number
+
+@then('"{field}" in the json output should not contain "{key}"')
+def check_output_field_not_key(context, field, key):
+    out = context.stdout_capture.getvalue()
+    out_json = json.loads(out)
+    assert field in out_json
+    assert key not in out_json[field]
+
+@then('"{field}" in the json output should contain "{key}"')
+def check_output_field_key(context, field, key):
+    out = context.stdout_capture.getvalue()
+    out_json = json.loads(out)
+    assert field in out_json
+    assert key in out_json[field]
+
 @then('the output should be')
 def check_output(context):
     text = context.text.strip().splitlines()