diff --git a/tests/run_tests.sh b/tests/run_tests.sh
index d7f2242..e4034f8 100755
--- a/tests/run_tests.sh
+++ b/tests/run_tests.sh
@@ -157,7 +157,8 @@
 prepare() {
     [ -d ${BUILDDIR} ] && mkdir -p ${BUILDDIR}
 
-    [[ ! -f "${VENV_DIR}/bin/activate" ]] && setup_virtualenv
+    # On ci salt is preinstalled from packages, so use it if present
+    which salt-call || setup_virtualenv
     setup_mock_bin
     setup_pillar
     setup_salt
@@ -271,4 +272,4 @@
         run
 #        run_model_validate
         ;;
-esac
\ No newline at end of file
+esac