diff --git a/unittest/python/python-open.py b/unittest/python/python-open.py
index 2ace52296f..6ad7d335d5 100644
--- a/unittest/python/python-open.py
+++ b/unittest/python/python-open.py
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ except:
     pass
 
 try:
-    lmp = lammps()
+    if 'LAMMPS_MACHINE_NAME' in os.environ:
+        machine = os.environ['LAMMPS_MACHINE_NAME']
+    else:
+        machine = ""
+    lmp = lammps(name=machine)
     has_mpi = lmp.has_mpi_support
     lmp.close()
 except: