diff --git a/misc/cgo/testsanitizers/test.bash b/misc/cgo/testsanitizers/test.bash
index d1d2dc6ae2..abbfb27d4b 100755
--- a/misc/cgo/testsanitizers/test.bash
+++ b/misc/cgo/testsanitizers/test.bash
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@ if test -x "$(type -p clang)"; then
 fi
 export CC
 
+if [ "$(sysctl -n vm.overcommit_memory)" = 2 ]; then
+  echo "skipping msan/tsan tests: vm.overcommit_memory=2" >&2
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 msan=yes
 
 TMPDIR=${TMPDIR:-/tmp}