diff --git a/tests/lobpcg_test.py b/tests/lobpcg_test.py
index 167e3744b..3a4a2196c 100644
--- a/tests/lobpcg_test.py
+++ b/tests/lobpcg_test.py
@@ -288,7 +288,10 @@ class LobpcgTest(jtu.JaxTestCase):
     # We import matplotlib lazily because (a) it's faster this way, and
     # (b) concurrent imports of matplotlib appear to trigger some sort of
     # collision on the matplotlib cache lock on Windows.
-    from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+    try:
+      from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+    except (ModuleNotFoundError, ImportError):
+      return  # If matplotlib isn't available, don't emit plots.
 
     os.makedirs(lobpcg_debug_plot_dir, exist_ok=True)
     clean_matrix_name = _clean_matrix_name(matrix_name)