diff --git a/src/bootstrap/check.rs b/src/bootstrap/check.rs
index e0798860275..712c4c52baa 100644
--- a/src/bootstrap/check.rs
+++ b/src/bootstrap/check.rs
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ fn markdown_test(build: &Build, compiler: &Compiler, markdown: &Path) {
     build.add_rust_test_threads(&mut cmd);
     cmd.arg("--test");
     cmd.arg(markdown);
+    cmd.env("RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP", "1");
 
     let mut test_args = build.flags.cmd.test_args().join(" ");
     if build.config.quiet_tests {