diff --git a/techrec/cli.py b/techrec/cli.py
index 49dc81d..bb231c1 100644
--- a/techrec/cli.py
+++ b/techrec/cli.py
@@ -78,8 +78,11 @@ class DateTimeAction(Action):
 code_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
 
 
-def common_pre():
-    prechecks = [pre_check_user, pre_check_permissions, pre_check_ffmpeg]
+def common_pre(nochecks=False):
+    if nochecks:
+        prechecks = []
+    else:
+        prechecks = [pre_check_user, pre_check_permissions, pre_check_ffmpeg]
     configs = ["default_config.py"]
     if "TECHREC_CONFIG" in os.environ:
         for conf in os.environ["TECHREC_CONFIG"].split(":"):
diff --git a/techrec/server.py b/techrec/server.py
index f0b14ab..7218b8c 100644
--- a/techrec/server.py
+++ b/techrec/server.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
+import sys
 import logging
 import time
 import os
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ from .forge import create_mp3, Validator
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("server")
 
-common_pre()
+common_pre(nochecks=('pytest' in sys.argv[0]))
 app = FastAPI()
 db = None