diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/eigenpy/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/eigenpy/default.nix
index 2bbf0264e321..8797618041c4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/eigenpy/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/eigenpy/default.nix
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DINSTALL_DOCUMENTATION=ON"
+    "-DBUILD_TESTING=ON"
     "-DBUILD_TESTING_SCIPY=ON"
   ];
 
@@ -50,6 +51,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     numpy
   ];
 
+  preInstallCheck = "make test";
+
   pythonImportsCheck = [ "eigenpy" ];
 
   meta = with lib; {