diff --git a/tests/types_extras.py b/tests/types_extras.py
index f733950b..61d2857e 100644
--- a/tests/types_extras.py
+++ b/tests/types_extras.py
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ import tests
 
 def skip_if_no_uuid(f):
     def skip_if_no_uuid_(self):
+        try:
+            import uuid
+        except ImportError:
+            return self.skipTest("uuid not available in this Python version")
+
         try:
             cur = self.conn.cursor()
             cur.execute("select typname from pg_type where typname = 'uuid'")
@@ -39,7 +44,7 @@ def skip_if_no_uuid(f):
         if has:
             return f(self)
         else:
-            return self.skipTest("uuid type not available")
+            return self.skipTest("uuid type not available on the server")
 
     return skip_if_no_uuid_