diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/polyml/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/polyml/default.nix
index 9cbc72111be1..c82a88bb2793 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/polyml/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/polyml/default.nix
@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "--with-gmp"
   ];
 
+  doCheck = true;
+
+  checkPhase = ''
+    runHook preCheck
+    make check
+    runHook postCheck
+  '';
+
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "Standard ML compiler and interpreter";
     longDescription = ''