diff --git a/gnu/packages/python-web.scm b/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
index acabe00846..d175fbb061 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
@@ -908,8 +908,9 @@ (define-public python-h11
      `(#:phases
        (modify-phases %standard-phases
          (replace 'check
-           (lambda _
-             (invoke "pytest" "-vv"))))))
+           (lambda* (#:key tests? #:allow-other-keys)
+             (when tests?
+               (invoke "pytest" "-vv")))))))
     (native-inputs
      `(("python-pytest" ,python-pytest)))
     (home-page "https://github.com/python-hyper/h11")