diff --git a/src/core/core-varlink.c b/src/core/core-varlink.c
index 04d9d96417..ab0d455380 100644
--- a/src/core/core-varlink.c
+++ b/src/core/core-varlink.c
@@ -562,6 +562,9 @@ static int manager_varlink_init_user(Manager *m) {
         if (m->managed_oom_varlink)
                 return 1;
 
+        if (MANAGER_IS_TEST_RUN(m))
+                return 0;
+
         r = varlink_connect_address(&link, VARLINK_ADDR_PATH_MANAGED_OOM_USER);
         if (r == -ENOENT || ERRNO_IS_DISCONNECT(r)) {
                 log_debug("systemd-oomd varlink unix socket not found, skipping user manager varlink setup");