diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/gpgme/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/gpgme/default.nix
index 9b90f912912b..8d4e2e7271d4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/gpgme/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/gpgme/default.nix
@@ -110,8 +110,13 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ lib.optional stdenv.hostPlatform.is32bit "-D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64"
   );
 
+  # prevent tests from being run during the buildPhase
+  makeFlags = [ "tests=" ];
+
   doCheck = true;
 
+  checkFlags = [ "-C" "tests" ];
+
   passthru.tests = {
     python = python3.pkgs.gpgme;
     qt = libsForQt5.qgpgme;