diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libsixel/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libsixel/default.nix
index 9807d7276fc..9973f337398 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libsixel/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libsixel/default.nix
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "1zckahfl0j7k68jf87iwdc4yx7fkfhxwa7lrf22dnz36d2iq785v";
   };
 
+  configureFlags = [
+    "--enable-tests"
+  ];
+
+  doCheck = true;
+
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "The SIXEL library for console graphics, and converter programs";
     homepage = http://saitoha.github.com/libsixel;