diff --git a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_sdist.py b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_sdist.py
index f95035dfb086..aa3a99fa3f0a 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_sdist.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_sdist.py
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ def test_finalize_options(self):
         self.assertRaises(DistutilsOptionError, cmd.finalize_options)
 
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(zlib, "requires zlib")
     def test_get_file_list(self):
         # make sure MANIFEST is recalculated
         dist, cmd = self.get_cmd()