diff --git a/guix/build/python-build-system.scm b/guix/build/python-build-system.scm
index b892c87fe9..84299798b0 100644
--- a/guix/build/python-build-system.scm
+++ b/guix/build/python-build-system.scm
@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ (define* (install #:key outputs (configure-flags '())
           (zero? (apply system* "python" args)))
         (error "no setup.py found"))))
 
+(define* (check #:key outputs #:allow-other-keys)
+  "Run the test suite of a given Python package."
+  (if (file-exists? "setup.py")
+      (let ((args `("setup.py" "check")))
+        (format #t "running 'python' with arguments ~s~%" args)
+        (zero? (apply system* "python" args)))
+      (error "no setup.py found")))
+
 (define* (wrap #:key outputs python-version #:allow-other-keys)
   (define (list-of-files dir)
     (map (cut string-append dir "/" <>)
@@ -78,10 +86,12 @@ (define %standard-phases
   (alist-cons-after
    'install 'wrap
    wrap
-   (alist-replace 'install install
-                  (alist-delete 'configure
+   (alist-replace
+    'check check
+    (alist-replace 'install install
+                   (alist-delete 'configure
                                 (alist-delete 'build
-                                              gnu:%standard-phases)))))
+                                              gnu:%standard-phases))))))
 
 (define* (python-build #:key inputs (phases %standard-phases)
                        #:allow-other-keys #:rest args)