diff --git a/ognibuild/tests/test_debian_build.py b/ognibuild/tests/test_debian_build.py
index 8280946..8cacfc9 100644
--- a/ognibuild/tests/test_debian_build.py
+++ b/ognibuild/tests/test_debian_build.py
@@ -156,5 +156,11 @@ janitor (0.1-1jan+some1) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
 
 
 class BuildArchitectureTests(TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(BuildArchitectureTests, self).setUp()
+        if not os.path.exists('/usr/bin/dpkg-architecture'):
+            self.skipTest('not a debian system')
+
     def test_is_str(self):
         self.assertIsInstance(get_build_architecture(), str)