diff --git a/Lib/test/_test_multiprocessing.py b/Lib/test/_test_multiprocessing.py
index d4177c5e8fe5ac..4dc9a31d22f771 100644
--- a/Lib/test/_test_multiprocessing.py
+++ b/Lib/test/_test_multiprocessing.py
@@ -1601,6 +1601,7 @@ def test_rlock(self):
         self.assertFalse(lock.locked())
         self.assertRaises((AssertionError, RuntimeError), lock.release)
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(HAS_SHAREDCTYPES, 'needs sharedctypes')
     def test_rlock_locked_2processes(self):
         if self.TYPE != 'processes':
             self.skipTest('test not appropriate for {}'.format(self.TYPE))