diff --git a/exotica_python/package.xml b/exotica_python/package.xml
index c0b091c72..786500da8 100644
--- a/exotica_python/package.xml
+++ b/exotica_python/package.xml
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@
   <exec_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 3">python3-pyassimp</exec_depend>
   <exec_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 3">python3-tk</exec_depend>
   <exec_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 3">python3-rospkg</exec_depend>
-  <test_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 2">python-trimesh-pip</test_depend>
-  <test_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 3">python3-trimesh-pip</test_depend>
+  <!--
+    pip keys cannot be used for releases on the buildfarm cf. 
+    https://github.com/ros/rosdistro/pull/39892#issuecomment-1985640859
+  -->
+  <!-- <test_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 2">python-trimesh-pip</test_depend>
+  <test_depend condition="$ROS_PYTHON_VERSION == 3">python3-trimesh-pip</test_depend> -->
 </package>
diff --git a/exotica_python/test/test_mesh.py b/exotica_python/test/test_mesh.py
index f7034d5c4..1996427f7 100644
--- a/exotica_python/test/test_mesh.py
+++ b/exotica_python/test/test_mesh.py
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import unittest
 
 import pyexotica as exo
-import trimesh
+try:
+    import trimesh
+except ImportError:
+    import warnings
+    warnings.warn("trimesh not found, skipping test")
+    exit()
 
 def validate_mesh(mesh):
     print(mesh, mesh.vertex_count, mesh.triangle_count)