diff --git a/python-virtualenv.spec b/python-virtualenv.spec
index 06e3155..e22f5c2 100644
--- a/python-virtualenv.spec
+++ b/python-virtualenv.spec
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ BuildRequires:  python3-sphinx_rtd_theme
 BuildRequires:  python3-towncrier
 %endif
 
-%bcond_without tests
+# tests don't have all dependencies in EPEL 9 (yet?)
+%bcond_with tests
 %if %{with tests}
 BuildRequires:  fish
 BuildRequires:  gcc