diff --git a/ranger_tempest_plugin/config.py b/ranger_tempest_plugin/config.py
index d1bd16f..5f09487 100755
--- a/ranger_tempest_plugin/config.py
+++ b/ranger_tempest_plugin/config.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ ORM_GROUP = cfg.OptGroup(
 
 ORM_GROUP_OPTIONS = [
     cfg.StrOpt("image_url",
+               default='',
                help="swift container url where image is located"),
     cfg.StrOpt("ranger_cms_base_url",
                help="Ranger Project Service URL"),
diff --git a/ranger_tempest_plugin/tests/api/test_images.py b/ranger_tempest_plugin/tests/api/test_images.py
index afc98fd..5cb77c1 100644
--- a/ranger_tempest_plugin/tests/api/test_images.py
+++ b/ranger_tempest_plugin/tests/api/test_images.py
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ SYNC = lockutils.synchronized_with_prefix(PREFIX)
 
 class TestTempestIms(ims_base.ImsBaseOrmTest):
 
+    @classmethod
+    def skip_checks(cls):
+        super(TestTempestIms, cls).skip_checks()
+        if not CONF.ranger.image_url:
+            raise cls.skipException("Image not available")
+
     @classmethod
     def setup_clients(cls):
         super(TestTempestIms, cls).setup_clients()