diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 71643080b0..db9f4c80c6 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -5235,9 +5235,10 @@ CLEANFILES += \
 ###############################################################################
 
 include Makefile.examples
+
 if WITH_PYTHON_BLACK
 check-python-black:
-	$(BLACK) --check $(top_srcdir)
+	test "$$NMTST_SKIP_PYTHON_BLACK" != 1 && $(BLACK) --check $(top_srcdir)
 check_local += check-python-black
 endif