diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/openssl/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/openssl/default.nix
index b4816e8cdecc..aee19324bcba 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/openssl/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/openssl/default.nix
@@ -239,7 +239,10 @@ let
         # the code above, inhibiting `./Configure` from adding the
         # conflicting flags.
         "CFLAGS=-march=${stdenv.hostPlatform.gcc.arch}"
-      ];
+      ]
+      # tests are not being installed, it makes no sense
+      # to build them if check is disabled, e.g. on cross.
+      ++ lib.optional (!finalAttrs.finalPackage.doCheck) "disable-tests";
 
       makeFlags = [
         "MANDIR=$(man)/share/man"