--- a/test_xvfb.py
+++ b/test_xvfb.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 
+import logging
 import os
+import platform
 import sys
 import unittest
 try:
@@ -10,6 +12,11 @@ except ImportError:
 
 from xvfbwrapper import Xvfb
 
+logging.basicConfig(format='%(levelname)s:%(funcName)s:%(message)s',
+                    level=logging.DEBUG)
+log = logging.getLogger()
+
+log.debug('machine = %s', platform.machine())
 
 class TestXvfb(unittest.TestCase):
 
@@ -83,6 +90,8 @@ class TestXvfb(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(display_var, os.environ['DISPLAY'])
         self.assertIsNotNone(xvfb.proc)
 
+    @unittest.skipIf(platform.machine().lower() in ['i586', 'ppc64le', 'ppc64'],
+                     'This test does not work with this platform.')
     def test_start_fails_with_unknown_kwargs(self):
         xvfb = Xvfb(foo='bar')
         with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):