diff --git a/src/plugins/tests.py b/src/plugins/tests.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5de96e9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/tests.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+import unittest
+from importlib import import_module
+
+try:
+    import pkg_resources
+except ImportError:
+    pkg_resources = None
+
+
+class TestPlugins(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Test case for plugins package"""
+    def test_get_plugin(self):
+        """Import from plugin raises ImportError without pkg_resources"""
+        if pkg_resources is None:
+            with self.assertRaises(ImportError):
+                import_module('plugin')
diff --git a/src/tests/core.py b/src/tests/core.py
index 52cea234..2085c0ef 100644
--- a/src/tests/core.py
+++ b/src/tests/core.py
@@ -424,6 +424,9 @@ def run():
         qt_tests = loader.loadTestsFromModule(bitmessageqt.tests)
         suite.addTests(qt_tests)
 
+    import plugins.tests
+    suite.addTests(loader.loadTestsFromModule(plugins.tests))
+
     def keep_exc(ex_cls, exc, tb):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
         """Own exception hook for test cases"""
         excQueue.put(('tests', exc))