diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nifty8/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nifty8/default.nix
index 687306ee4658..46c05bb3f2f4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nifty8/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nifty8/default.nix
@@ -70,22 +70,16 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     openssh
   ];
 
-  disabledTests = lib.optionals stdenv.hostPlatform.isDarwin [
-    # Fatal Python error: Aborted
-    # matplotlib/backend_bases.py", line 2654 in create_with_canvas
-    "test_optimize_kl_domain_expansion"
-    "test_plot_priorsamples"
+  # Prevents 'Fatal Python error: Aborted' on darwin during checkPhase
+  preCheck = lib.optionalString stdenv.hostPlatform.isDarwin ''
+    export MPLBACKEND="Agg"
+  '';
 
+  disabledTests = lib.optionals stdenv.hostPlatform.isDarwin [
     # [XPASS(strict)] np.vdot inaccurate for single precision
     "test_vdot"
   ];
 
-  disabledTestPaths = lib.optionals stdenv.hostPlatform.isDarwin [
-    # Fatal Python error: Aborted
-    # matplotlib/backend_bases.py", line 2654 in create_with_canvas
-    "test/test_plot.py"
-  ];
-
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;
   postCheck =
     lib.optionalString