diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygame/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygame/default.nix
index a4bbbe9ce13a..ef53e32126bc 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygame/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygame/default.nix
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     # No audio or video device in test environment
     export SDL_VIDEODRIVER=dummy
     export SDL_AUDIODRIVER=disk
+    # traceback for segfaults
+    export PYTHONFAULTHANDLER=1
 
     ${python.interpreter} -m pygame.tests -v \
       --exclude opengl,timing \