diff --git a/lang/python/tests/support.py b/lang/python/tests/support.py
index 80c3a4bf..8f9d6452 100644
--- a/lang/python/tests/support.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/support.py
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ import tempfile
 import time
 import gpg
 
+def assert_gpg_version(version=(2, 1, 0)):
+    with gpg.Context() as c:
+        if tuple(map(int, c.engine_info.version.split('.'))) < version:
+            print("GnuPG too old: have {0}, need {1}.".format(
+                c.engine_info.version, '.'.join(version)))
+            sys.exit(77)
+
 # known keys
 alpha = "A0FF4590BB6122EDEF6E3C542D727CC768697734"
 bob = "D695676BDCEDCC2CDD6152BCFE180B1DA9E3B0B2"
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-callbacks.py b/lang/python/tests/t-callbacks.py
index ae157878..94cf11ef 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-callbacks.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-callbacks.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ import os
 import gpg
 import support
 
+support.assert_gpg_version()
+
 c = gpg.Context()
 c.set_pinentry_mode(gpg.constants.PINENTRY_MODE_LOOPBACK)
 
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-edit.py b/lang/python/tests/t-edit.py
index 7ac3626f..ffc32965 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-edit.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-edit.py
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ import os
 import gpg
 import support
 
+support.assert_gpg_version()
+
 class KeyEditor(object):
     def __init__(self):
         self.steps = ["fpr", "expire", "1", "primary", "quit"]
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-encrypt-sym.py b/lang/python/tests/t-encrypt-sym.py
index c15955a9..8ee9cd6b 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-encrypt-sym.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-encrypt-sym.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ import os
 import gpg
 import support
 
+support.assert_gpg_version()
+
 for passphrase in ("abc", b"abc"):
     c = gpg.Context()
     c.set_armor(True)
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-creation.py b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-creation.py
index c642c5b4..8b7372e7 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-creation.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-creation.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import itertools
 import time
 
 import support
+support.assert_gpg_version((2, 1, 2))
 
 alpha = "Alpha <alpha@invalid.example.net>"
 
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-manipulation.py b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-manipulation.py
index 45e4c0e2..0f47006f 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-manipulation.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-manipulation.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import os
 import gpg
 
 import support
+support.assert_gpg_version((2, 1, 14))
 
 alpha = "Alpha <alpha@invalid.example.net>"
 bravo = "Bravo <bravo@invalid.example.net>"
diff --git a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-signing.py b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-signing.py
index f9778a33..3d648c5b 100755
--- a/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-signing.py
+++ b/lang/python/tests/t-quick-key-signing.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import itertools
 import time
 
 import support
+support.assert_gpg_version((2, 1, 1))
 
 with support.EphemeralContext() as ctx:
     uid_counter = 0