diff --git a/Lib/test/test_readline.py b/Lib/test/test_readline.py
index b0b9d64cfe6a5f..97ca93ae09db34 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_readline.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_readline.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 import locale
 import os
 import sys
+import sysconfig
 import tempfile
 import textwrap
 import threading
@@ -413,6 +414,8 @@ def test_write_read_limited_history(self):
         # So, we've only tested that the read did not fail.
         # See TestHistoryManipulation for the full test.
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(sysconfig.get_config_var("HAVE_RL_CHANGE_ENVIRONMENT"),
+                         "readline can modify the environment")
     def test_environment_is_not_modified(self):
         # os.environ contains environment at the time "os" module was loaded, so
         # before the "readline" module is loaded.