diff --git a/plugin/plugin.jelly b/plugin/plugin.jelly
index abf6b9fe..11c3fc5c 100644
--- a/plugin/plugin.jelly
+++ b/plugin/plugin.jelly
@@ -230,10 +230,11 @@
   
   <!-- test a plugin -->
   <goal name="plugin:test">
-    <maven:maven
-      descriptor="${basedir}/src/plugin-test/project.xml"
-      goals="testPlugin"
-      ignoreFailures="false"
-      />
+    <u:available file="${basedir}/src/plugin-test/project.xml">
+      <maven:maven
+        descriptor="${basedir}/src/plugin-test/project.xml"
+        goals="testPlugin"
+        ignoreFailures="false" />
+    </u:available>
   </goal>
 </project>