diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/base.py b/tempest/api/compute/base.py
index 4164e00..bf2e0c1 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/base.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/base.py
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@
     @classmethod
     def skip_checks(cls):
         super(BaseComputeTest, cls).skip_checks()
+        if not CONF.service_available.nova:
+            raise cls.skipException("Nova is not available")
         if cls._api_version != 2:
             msg = ("Unexpected API version is specified (%s)" %
                    cls._api_version)