diff --git a/moose-core/tests/python/test_muparser.py b/moose-core/tests/python/test_muparser.py
index 1073a982dc3d1cd0d654fa249b3b7cc505a5beff..447f589b4a497d0b1869ef6b0ad3fdb9ca6dee37 100644
--- a/moose-core/tests/python/test_muparser.py
+++ b/moose-core/tests/python/test_muparser.py
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ import sys
 import numpy as np
 import moose
 import abstrModelEqns9 as ame
-import rdesigneur as rd
+try:
+    import rdesigneur as rd
+except RuntimeError as e:
+    print( 'Warn: Failed to import rdesigneur. most likely DISPLAY is not set' )
 
 def singleCompt( name, params ):
     mod = moose.copy( '/library/' + name + '/' + name, '/model' )