diff --git a/python-fsspec.changes b/python-fsspec.changes
index ce81f58..967316e 100644
--- a/python-fsspec.changes
+++ b/python-fsspec.changes
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Fri Jan 12 13:11:26 UTC 2024 - pgajdos@suse.com
+
+- have a possibility to not use pyarrow for testing [bsc#1218592]
+
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sat Dec 16 12:44:59 UTC 2023 - Dirk Müller <dmueller@suse.com>
 
diff --git a/python-fsspec.spec b/python-fsspec.spec
index 5008ad2..79d9a61 100644
--- a/python-fsspec.spec
+++ b/python-fsspec.spec
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #
 # spec file
 #
-# Copyright (c) 2023 SUSE LLC
+# Copyright (c) 2024 SUSE LLC
 #
 # All modifications and additions to the file contributed by third parties
 # remain the property of their copyright owners, unless otherwise agreed
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 %define psuffix %{nil}
 %bcond_with test
 %endif
+%bcond_without have_pyarrow
 
 %{?sle15_python_module_pythons}
 Name:           python-fsspec%{psuffix}
@@ -68,7 +69,9 @@ BuildRequires:  %{python_module notebook}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module numpy}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module panel}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module paramiko}
+%if %{with have_pyarrow}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module pyarrow}
+%endif
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module pyftpdlib}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module pygit2}
 BuildRequires:  %{python_module pytest-mock}