diff --git a/GPy/testing/cython_tests.py b/GPy/testing/cython_tests.py
index c777aae0..dc41c44a 100644
--- a/GPy/testing/cython_tests.py
+++ b/GPy/testing/cython_tests.py
@@ -4,15 +4,17 @@ from GPy.util import choleskies
 import GPy
 import unittest
 
+from ..util.config import config
+
 try:
     from ..util import choleskies_cython
-    choleskies_cython_working = True
+    choleskies_cython_working = config.getboolean('cython', 'working')
 except ImportError:
     choleskies_cython_working = False
 
 try:
     from ..kern.src import stationary_cython
-    stationary_cython_working = True
+    stationary_cython_working = config.getboolean('cython', 'working')
 except ImportError:
     stationary_cython_working = False
 
diff --git a/GPy/testing/kernel_tests.py b/GPy/testing/kernel_tests.py
index 5f418674..7f89ae4e 100644
--- a/GPy/testing/kernel_tests.py
+++ b/GPy/testing/kernel_tests.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ verbose = 0
 
 try:
     from ..kern.src import coregionalize_cython
-    cython_coregionalize_working = True
+    cython_coregionalize_working = config.getboolean('cython', 'working')
 except ImportError:
     cython_coregionalize_working = False