diff --git a/elpa.spec b/elpa.spec
index 31c745c..1f012f1 100644
--- a/elpa.spec
+++ b/elpa.spec
@@ -199,6 +199,8 @@ rm %{buildroot}%{_bindir}/test*
 
 %if 1
 %check
+# tests on i686 with mpich never complete, disable for now
+%ifnarch i686
 %{_mpich_load}
 pushd mpich
 make check
@@ -207,6 +209,7 @@ pushd _mt/mpich
 make check
 popd
 %{_mpich_unload}
+%endif
 
 # only non-mt openmpi build can be tested, see bug #1105902
 %{_openmpi_load}