diff --git a/test/units/testsuite-21.sh b/test/units/testsuite-21.sh
index 7b2013fb51c..08ebfd91eb6 100755
--- a/test/units/testsuite-21.sh
+++ b/test/units/testsuite-21.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@
 set -eux
 set -o pipefail
 
+# check dfuzzer is present before testing
+if ! command -v dfuzzer &>/dev/null; then
+    echo "dfuzzer is not installed, skipping" | tee --append /skipped
+    exit 77
+fi
+
 # Save the end.service state before we start fuzzing, as it might get changed
 # on the fly by one of the fuzzers
 systemctl list-jobs | grep -F 'end.service' && SHUTDOWN_AT_EXIT=1 || SHUTDOWN_AT_EXIT=0