diff --git a/runtime_test.go b/runtime_test.go
index e61f63d495..a3b3d35bea 100644
--- a/runtime_test.go
+++ b/runtime_test.go
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ var (
 )
 
 func nuke(runtime *Runtime) error {
+	if nonuke := os.Getenv("NONUKE"); nonuke != "" {
+		return nil
+	}
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	for _, container := range runtime.List() {
 		wg.Add(1)