diff --git a/python/test/test_mpi.py b/python/test/test_mpi.py
index 456a30ee75..401050fd35 100644
--- a/python/test/test_mpi.py
+++ b/python/test/test_mpi.py
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@
   HAS_MPI4PY=False
 
 class Test(unittest.TestCase):
-  def test(self):
+  if HAS_MPI4PY:
+    def test(self):
 
-    if HAS_MPI4PY:
       comm = MPI.COMM_WORLD
       p = plumed.Plumed()
       p.cmd("setNatoms",2)