diff --git a/src/net/parse_test.go b/src/net/parse_test.go
index 7c509a97f2..e58d954154 100644
--- a/src/net/parse_test.go
+++ b/src/net/parse_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ func TestReadLine(t *testing.T) {
 
 	fd, err := os.Open(filename)
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+		// The file is missing even on some Unix systems.
+		t.Skipf("skipping because failed to open /etc/services: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer fd.Close()
 	br := bufio.NewReader(fd)