diff --git a/debian/tests/check-service b/debian/tests/check-service
index 6347219..81d6ab3 100755
--- a/debian/tests/check-service
+++ b/debian/tests/check-service
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
+if systemd-detect-virt -qc; then
+    echo "haveged service will fail in (unprivileged) container, skipping test"
+    exit 77
+fi
+
 if ! systemctl is-active haveged; then
     echo "haveged service is not active"
     systemctl status haveged
diff --git a/debian/tests/control b/debian/tests/control
index c9d622b..7a3a6b8 100644
--- a/debian/tests/control
+++ b/debian/tests/control
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 Tests:
  check-service,
+Restrictions:
+ skippable,
 
 Tests:
  run-tests,