diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyter_core/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyter_core/default.nix
index e093706fa8e1..b7838ff5915f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyter_core/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyter_core/default.nix
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@
 , buildPythonPackage
 , fetchPypi
 , isPy3k
+, fetchpatch
+, python
 , ipython
 , traitlets
 , glibcLocales
 , mock
-, pytest
+, pytestCheckHook
 , nose
 }:
 
@@ -20,15 +22,34 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "sha256-1puuuf+xKLjNJlf88nA/icdp0Wc8hRgSEZ46Kg6TrZo=";
   };
 
-  checkInputs = [ pytest mock glibcLocales nose ];
+  checkInputs = [ pytestCheckHook mock glibcLocales nose ];
   propagatedBuildInputs = [ ipython traitlets ];
 
-  patches = [ ./tests_respect_pythonpath.patch ];
+  patches = [
+    # install jupyter_core/*.py files
+    (fetchpatch {
+      url = "https://github.com/jupyter/jupyter_core/pull/253/commits/3bbeaebec0a53520523162d5e8d5c6ca02b1b782.patch";
+      sha256 = "sha256-QeAfj7wLz4egVUPMAgrZ9Wn/Tv60LrIXLgHGVoH41wQ=";
+    })
+    ./tests_respect_pythonpath.patch
+  ];
 
-  checkPhase = ''
-    HOME=$TMPDIR LC_ALL=en_US.utf8 py.test
+  preCheck = ''
+    export HOME=$TMPDIR
+    export LC_ALL=en_US.utf8
   '';
 
+  disabledTests = [
+    # creates a temporary script, which isn't aware of PYTHONPATH
+    "test_argv0"
+  ];
+
+  postCheck = ''
+    $out/bin/jupyter --help > /dev/null
+  '';
+
+  pythonImportsCheck = [ "jupyter_core" ];
+
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "Jupyter core package. A base package on which Jupyter projects rely";
     homepage = "https://jupyter.org/";