diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/path.py/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/path.py/default.nix
index d3c3206faba..272c34df429 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/path.py/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/path.py/default.nix
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 , buildPythonPackage
 , fetchPypi
 , setuptools_scm
-, pytest
+, pytestCheckHook
 , pytest-flake8
 , glibcLocales
 , packaging
 , isPy27
+, isPy38
 , backports_os
 , importlib-metadata
 , fetchpatch
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     sha256 = "9f2169633403aa0423f6ec000e8701dd1819526c62465f5043952f92527fea0f";
   };
 
-  checkInputs = [ pytest pytest-flake8 glibcLocales packaging ];
+  checkInputs = [ pytestCheckHook pytest-flake8 glibcLocales packaging ];
   buildInputs = [ setuptools_scm ];
   propagatedBuildInputs = [
     importlib-metadata
@@ -36,10 +37,11 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     license = lib.licenses.mit;
   };
 
-  checkPhase = ''
-    # ignore performance test which may fail when the system is under load
-    py.test -v -k 'not TestPerformance'
-  '';
+  # ignore performance test which may fail when the system is under load
+  # test_version fails with 3.8 https://github.com/jaraco/path.py/issues/172
+  disabledTests = [ "TestPerformance" ] ++ lib.optionals isPy38 [ "test_version"];
+
+  dontUseSetuptoolsCheck = true;
 
   patches = [
     (fetchpatch {