diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-server/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-server/default.nix
index 0408c8ed01bd..4c8d0276d1ad 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-server/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/devpi-server/default.nix
@@ -33,8 +33,11 @@ python3Packages.buildPythonApplication rec {
   ] ++ stdenv.lib.optionals isPy27 [ mock ];
 
   # test_genconfig.py needs devpi-server on PATH
+  # root_passwd_hash tries to write to store
   checkPhase = ''
-    PATH=$PATH:$out/bin pytest ./test_devpi_server --slow -rfsxX
+    PATH=$PATH:$out/bin HOME=$TMPDIR pytest \
+      ./test_devpi_server --slow -rfsxX \
+      -k 'not root_passwd_hash_option'
   '';
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib;{