diff --git a/tests/test_writer.py b/tests/test_writer.py
index 121db8f76..b2b8b9600 100644
--- a/tests/test_writer.py
+++ b/tests/test_writer.py
@@ -2,7 +2,14 @@
 import re
 from io import BytesIO
 from pathlib import Path
-from time import thread_time
+
+try:
+    from time import thread_time
+except ImportError:
+
+    def thread_time():
+        return 0  # disable test for python 3.6
+
 
 import pytest