diff --git a/eclass/distutils-r1.eclass b/eclass/distutils-r1.eclass
index b9366d1875556..7b025261eb2bd 100644
--- a/eclass/distutils-r1.eclass
+++ b/eclass/distutils-r1.eclass
@@ -565,6 +565,10 @@ distutils_enable_tests() {
 			_set_epytest_plugins
 			for plugin in "${EPYTEST_PLUGINS[@]}"; do
 				case ${plugin} in
+					${PN})
+						# don't add a dependency on self
+						continue
+						;;
 					pkgcore)
 						plugin=sys-apps/${plugin}
 						;;