diff --git a/gnu/packages/python-web.scm b/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
index 6f951595c8..87e65f4d36 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/python-web.scm
@@ -2073,9 +2073,9 @@ (define-public python-tornado-6
      '(#:phases
        (modify-phases %standard-phases
          (replace 'check
-           (lambda _
-             (invoke "python" "-m" "tornado.test.runtests")
-             #t)))))
+           (lambda* (#:key tests? #:allow-other-keys)
+             (when tests?
+               (invoke "python" "-m" "tornado.test.runtests")))))))
     (native-inputs
      (list python-certifi))
     (home-page "https://www.tornadoweb.org/")