diff --git a/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php b/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
index 7699408069c..ead1afbb8b9 100644
--- a/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
+++ b/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 require_once(__DIR__ . '/../../../lib/behat/behat_base.php');
 
 use Behat\Gherkin\Node\TableNode as TableNode;
+use Moodle\BehatExtension\Exception\SkippedException;
 
 /**
  * Behat search-related step definitions.
@@ -146,4 +147,15 @@ class behat_search extends behat_base {
     public function i_update_the_global_search_index() {
         \core_search\manager::instance()->index(false);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * This step looks to see if Solr is installed or skip the rest of the scenario otherwise
+     *
+     * @Given /^solr is installed/
+     */
+    public function solr_is_installed() {
+        if (!function_exists('solr_get_version')) {
+            throw new SkippedException('Skipping this scenario because Solr is not installed.');
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/search/tests/behat/search_by_user.feature b/search/tests/behat/search_by_user.feature
index e5c1093fabb..5a724a49173 100644
--- a/search/tests/behat/search_by_user.feature
+++ b/search/tests/behat/search_by_user.feature
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ Feature: Select users when searching for user-created content
   I need to be able to add users to the select list in the search form
 
   Background:
-    Given the following config values are set as admin:
+    Given solr is installed
+    And the following config values are set as admin:
       | enableglobalsearch | 1    |
       | searchengine       | solr |
     And the following "courses" exist:
diff --git a/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature b/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
index 92611137d2c..b70a1250300 100644
--- a/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
+++ b/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
@@ -93,7 +93,8 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
   @javascript
   Scenario: Check that groups option in search form appears when intended
     # Switch to mocked Solr search because simpledb doesn't support groups.
-    Given the following config values are set as admin:
+    Given solr is installed
+    And the following config values are set as admin:
       | searchengine | solr |
     And the following "groups" exist:
       | name    | course | idnumber |