diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
index 0ed5c5fbe3dd..b3fbc26c3313 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/python-packages.nix
@@ -27591,6 +27591,10 @@ EOF
 
     propagatedBuildInputs = with self; [ zope_i18nmessageid zope_schema ];
 
+    # Trouble with implicit namespace packages on Python3
+    # see https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/912
+    doCheck = !isPy3k;
+
     meta = {
         maintainers = with maintainers; [ goibhniu ];
     };