diff --git a/cdlib/test/test_community_discovery_models.py b/cdlib/test/test_community_discovery_models.py
index 82442705..956aaf71 100644
--- a/cdlib/test/test_community_discovery_models.py
+++ b/cdlib/test/test_community_discovery_models.py
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@
 except ModuleNotFoundError:
     by = None
 
+try:
+    import markov_clustering as mc
+except ModuleNotFoundError:
+    mc = None
+
 try:
     from cdlib.algorithms.internal.LPAM import LPAM
 except ModuleNotFoundError:
@@ -354,23 +359,25 @@ def test_osse(self):
             self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0][0]), str)
 
     def test_markov_clustering(self):
-        g = get_string_graph()
 
-        communities = algorithms.markov_clustering(g)
-        self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities), list)
-        if len(communities.communities) > 0:
-            self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0]), list)
-            if len(communities.communities[0]) > 0:
-                self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0][0]), str)
+        if mc is not None:
+            g = get_string_graph()
 
-        g = nx.karate_club_graph()
+            communities = algorithms.markov_clustering(g)
+            self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities), list)
+            if len(communities.communities) > 0:
+                self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0]), list)
+                if len(communities.communities[0]) > 0:
+                    self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0][0]), str)
 
-        communities = algorithms.markov_clustering(g)
-        self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities), list)
-        if len(communities.communities) > 0:
-            self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0]), list)
-            if len(communities.communities[0]) > 0:
-                self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0][0]), int)
+            g = nx.karate_club_graph()
+
+            communities = algorithms.markov_clustering(g)
+            self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities), list)
+            if len(communities.communities) > 0:
+                self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0]), list)
+                if len(communities.communities[0]) > 0:
+                    self.assertEqual(type(communities.communities[0][0]), int)
 
     # def test_bigClam(self):
     #     if karateclub is None: