diff --git a/tests/ls/capability b/tests/ls/capability
index f064348ef..6336ca116 100755
--- a/tests/ls/capability
+++ b/tests/ls/capability
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ fi
 . $srcdir/test-lib.sh
 require_root_
 
+grep '^#define HAVE_CAP 1$' $CONFIG_HEADER > /dev/null \
+  || skip_test_ "configured without libcap support"
+
 (setcap --help) 2>&1 |grep 'usage: setcap' > /dev/null \
   || skip_test_ "setcap utility not found"
 fail=0