diff --git a/test/test_capture_output.py b/test/test_capture_output.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/test/test_capture_output.py
+++ b/test/test_capture_output.py
@@ -1,13 +1,25 @@
+import pytest
+
 from noodles import run_process, schedule, serial
 
+try:
+    import msgpack  # noqa
+    has_msgpack = True
+except ImportError:
+    has_msgpack = False
 
 @schedule
 def writes_to_stdout():
     print("Hello Noodles!")
     return 42
 
-
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not has_msgpack, reason="msgpack needed.")
 def test_capture_output():
     a = writes_to_stdout()
     result = run_process(a, n_processes=1, registry=serial.base, use_msgpack=True)
     assert result == 42
+
+def test_capture_output_nomsgpack():
+    a = writes_to_stdout()
+    result = run_process(a, n_processes=1, registry=serial.base, use_msgpack=False)
+    assert result == 42
add skiptest when msgpack not installed and test without it