diff --git a/petric.py b/petric.py
index d86ce77..41bfa5d 100755
--- a/petric.py
+++ b/petric.py
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ def get_image(fname):
 if __name__ != "__main__":
     # load up first data-set for people to play with
     srcdir, outdir, metrics = data_dirs_metrics[0]
-    if srcdir is None:
+    if srcdir is None or os.getenv("PETRIC_SKIP_DATA", False):
         data = None
     else:
         data = get_data(srcdir=srcdir, outdir=outdir)