diff --git a/etc/tempest.conf.sample b/etc/tempest.conf.sample
index 96ef11a..75ab72e 100644
--- a/etc/tempest.conf.sample
+++ b/etc/tempest.conf.sample
@@ -405,6 +405,10 @@
 # password? (boolean value)
 #change_password=false
 
+# Does the test environment support obtaining instance serial
+# console output? (boolean value)
+#console_output=true
+
 # Does the test environment support resizing? (boolean value)
 #resize=false
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
index ee525e7..1f07703 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -348,6 +348,8 @@
         lines = len(output.split('\n'))
         self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output,
+                          'Console output not supported.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_get_console_output(self):
         # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
@@ -364,6 +366,8 @@
 
         self.wait_for(self._get_output)
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output,
+                          'Console output not supported.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_get_console_output_server_id_in_shutoff_status(self):
         # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
index 4404043..36ad3b6 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -339,6 +339,8 @@
         lines = len(output.split('\n'))
         self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output,
+                          'Console output not supported.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_get_console_output(self):
         # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
@@ -355,6 +357,8 @@
 
         self.wait_for(self._get_output)
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output,
+                          'Console output not supported.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_get_console_output_server_id_in_shutoff_status(self):
         # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
diff --git a/tempest/api/orchestration/stacks/test_neutron_resources.py b/tempest/api/orchestration/stacks/test_neutron_resources.py
index 27c6196..7b895d6 100644
--- a/tempest/api/orchestration/stacks/test_neutron_resources.py
+++ b/tempest/api/orchestration/stacks/test_neutron_resources.py
@@ -66,16 +66,17 @@
             cls.client.wait_for_stack_status(cls.stack_id, 'CREATE_COMPLETE')
             _, resources = cls.client.list_resources(cls.stack_identifier)
         except exceptions.TimeoutException as e:
-            # attempt to log the server console to help with debugging
-            # the cause of the server not signalling the waitcondition
-            # to heat.
-            resp, body = cls.client.get_resource(cls.stack_identifier,
-                                                 'Server')
-            server_id = body['physical_resource_id']
-            LOG.debug('Console output for %s', server_id)
-            resp, output = cls.servers_client.get_console_output(
-                server_id, None)
-            LOG.debug(output)
+            if CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output:
+                # attempt to log the server console to help with debugging
+                # the cause of the server not signalling the waitcondition
+                # to heat.
+                resp, body = cls.client.get_resource(cls.stack_identifier,
+                                                     'Server')
+                server_id = body['physical_resource_id']
+                LOG.debug('Console output for %s', server_id)
+                resp, output = cls.servers_client.get_console_output(
+                    server_id, None)
+                LOG.debug(output)
             raise e
 
         cls.test_resources = {}
diff --git a/tempest/config.py b/tempest/config.py
index 7d195bf..9fb96cc 100644
--- a/tempest/config.py
+++ b/tempest/config.py
@@ -280,6 +280,10 @@
                 default=False,
                 help="Does the test environment support changing the admin "
                      "password?"),
+    cfg.BoolOpt('console_output',
+                default=True,
+                help="Does the test environment support obtaining instance "
+                     "serial console output?"),
     cfg.BoolOpt('resize',
                 default=False,
                 help="Does the test environment support resizing?"),
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/manager.py b/tempest/scenario/manager.py
index 606208e..d8af83d 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/manager.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/manager.py
@@ -490,6 +490,9 @@
         return linux_client
 
     def _log_console_output(self, servers=None):
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.console_output:
+            LOG.debug('Console output not supported, cannot log')
+            return
         if not servers:
             servers = self.compute_client.servers.list()
         for server in servers: