diff --git a/pkgs/applications/version-management/mercurial/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/version-management/mercurial/default.nix
index ee86cbda6d89..b0d7c26abdd6 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/version-management/mercurial/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/version-management/mercurial/default.nix
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ let
     makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=$(out)" ]
       ++ lib.optional rustSupport "PURE=--rust";
 
-    doCheck = true;
+    doCheck = stdenv.isLinux;  # tests seem unstable on Darwin
     checkInputs = [
       unzip
       which