diff --git a/tests/sanity-test.c b/tests/sanity-test.c
index a61dc99..b5a6fae 100644
--- a/tests/sanity-test.c
+++ b/tests/sanity-test.c
@@ -81,6 +81,19 @@ FAIL_TEST(sanity_malloc_direct)
 	free(NULL);	/* NULL must not be counted */
 }
 
+TEST(disable_leak_checks)
+{
+	volatile void *mem;
+	assert(leak_check_enabled);
+	/* normally this should be on the beginning of the test.
+	 * Here we need to be sure, that the leak checks are
+	 * turned on */
+	DISABLE_LEAK_CHECKS;
+
+	mem = malloc(16);
+	assert(mem);
+}
+
 FAIL_TEST(sanity_malloc_indirect)
 {
 	struct wl_array array;
diff --git a/tests/test-runner.c b/tests/test-runner.c
index 2e6ad33..70fa0ae 100644
--- a/tests/test-runner.c
+++ b/tests/test-runner.c
@@ -175,6 +175,8 @@ check_leaks(int supposed_alloc, int supposed_fds)
 				num_fds - supposed_fds);
 			abort();
 		}
+	} else {
+		fprintf(stderr, "Leak checks disabled\n");
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/test-runner.h b/tests/test-runner.h
index 5963ab6..6054da5 100644
--- a/tests/test-runner.h
+++ b/tests/test-runner.h
@@ -62,4 +62,10 @@ test_usleep(useconds_t);
 void
 test_sleep(unsigned int);
 
+#define DISABLE_LEAK_CHECKS			\
+	do {					\
+		extern int leak_check_enabled;	\
+		leak_check_enabled = 0;		\
+	} while (0);
+
 #endif