diff --git a/python-betamax.spec b/python-betamax.spec
index dc19ea6..c8067ff 100644
--- a/python-betamax.spec
+++ b/python-betamax.spec
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 %global srcname betamax
 
+# tests need internet access therefore disabled by default
+# $ fedpkg mockbuild --enable-network --with=tests
+%bcond_with tests
+
 Name:           python-%{srcname}
 Version:        0.8.1
 Release:        9%{?dist}
@@ -22,8 +26,10 @@ Summary:        %{summary}
 %{?python_provide:%python_provide python3-%{srcname}}
 BuildRequires:  python3-devel
 BuildRequires:  python3-setuptools
-BuildRequires:  python3-requests >= 2.0
+%if %{with tests}
 BuildRequires:  python3-pytest
+BuildRequires:  python3-requests >= 2.0
+%endif
 Requires:       python3-requests >= 2.0
 
 %description -n python3-%{srcname} %{_description}
@@ -39,9 +45,14 @@ Python 3 version.
 %install
 %py3_install
 
-# disable tests as they need n/w access
-#%check
-#%{__python3} setup.py test
+%check
+%if %{with tests}
+# test_pytest_fixture: not sure why it fails but better run some tests than none
+# test_replays_response_from_cassette: https://github.com/betamaxpy/betamax/issues/184
+# TestPyTestParametrizedFixtures: failure reason unknown
+TEST_SELECTOR="not test_fixtures and not test_replays_response_from_cassette and not TestPyTestParametrizedFixtures"
+py.test-%{python3_version} -vk "$TEST_SELECTOR"
+%endif
 
 %files -n python3-%{srcname}
 %doc README.rst