diff --git a/src/journal/test-journal-verify.c b/src/journal/test-journal-verify.c
index f15071d81d..97cc0b1514 100644
--- a/src/journal/test-journal-verify.c
+++ b/src/journal/test-journal-verify.c
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ static int run_test(const char *verification_key, ssize_t max_iterations) {
         assert_se(m != NULL);
 
         /* managed_journal_file_open requires a valid machine id */
-        if (access("/etc/machine-id", F_OK) != 0)
-                return log_tests_skipped("/etc/machine-id not found");
+        if (sd_id128_get_machine(NULL) < 0)
+                return log_tests_skipped("No valid machine ID found");
 
         test_setup_logging(LOG_DEBUG);