diff --git a/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/wake/test-wake-install.sh b/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/wake/test-wake-install.sh
index c1aa26fd..839b438b 100755
--- a/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/wake/test-wake-install.sh
+++ b/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/wake/test-wake-install.sh
@@ -219,6 +219,9 @@ echo "== I7: ingested_ts staleness — a far-future emit_ts still goes stale (re
 ) && ok
 
 echo "== I8: beacon HMAC-verify at record — a spoofed (bad-sig) beacon is REJECTED =="
+if ! command -v openssl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  echo "SKIP: openssl not available" >&2
+else
 (
   H="$(fresh i8)"
   export WAKE_STATE_HOME="$H"
@@ -236,6 +239,7 @@ echo "== I8: beacon HMAC-verify at record — a spoofed (bad-sig) beacon is REJE
   [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || fail_msg "I8: a spoofed beacon must be REJECTED at record (rc=$rc) [$out]"
   [ ! -s "$WAKE_BEACON_RECEIVED" ] || fail_msg "I8: a rejected spoof must NOT advance the dead-man clock"
 ) && ok
+fi
 
 echo
 if [ -s "$FAILFILE" ]; then