diff --git a/neutron/tests/base.py b/neutron/tests/base.py
index ccdf0fc6bb..a135010d15 100644
--- a/neutron/tests/base.py
+++ b/neutron/tests/base.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import contextlib
 import logging
 import os
+import sys
 
 import eventlet.timeout
 import fixtures
@@ -117,6 +118,9 @@ class BaseTestCase(testtools.TestCase):
             'neutron.common.exceptions.NeutronException.use_fatal_exceptions',
             fake_use_fatal_exceptions))
 
+        if sys.version_info < (2, 7) and getattr(self, 'fmt', '') == 'xml':
+            raise self.skipException('XML Testing Skipped in Py26')
+
     def config(self, **kw):
         """Override some configuration values.