diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_plots.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_plots.py
index 4e34db25ed..5e5e1f22c1 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_plots.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_plots.py
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ def myprojectionplot():
 
 
 def test_voxel_plot(run_in_tmpdir):
+    # attempt to preload VTK and skip this test if unavailable
+    vtk = pytest.importorskip('vtk')
     surf1 = openmc.Sphere(r=500, boundary_type='vacuum')
     cell1 = openmc.Cell(region=-surf1)
     geometry = openmc.Geometry([cell1])