diff --git a/tests/test_rootdirectory.py b/tests/test_rootdirectory.py
index 5344a2fc3..76ba7845f 100644
--- a/tests/test_rootdirectory.py
+++ b/tests/test_rootdirectory.py
@@ -27,6 +27,12 @@ def pub():
     clean_temporary_pub()
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def pickle_pub():
+    yield create_temporary_pub(sql_mode=False)
+    clean_temporary_pub()
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def user1(pub):
     user1 = pub.user_class(name='user-one-role')
@@ -180,3 +186,8 @@ def test_jquery_debug_mode(pub, formdef1):
 
 def test_i18n_js(pub):
     get_app(pub).get('/i18n.js')
+
+
+def test_pickle_site(pickle_pub):
+    resp = get_app(pickle_pub).get('/', status=503)
+    assert resp.text == 'Missing database configuration'