diff --git a/dbxtest/dbxtest.go b/dbxtest/dbxtest.go
index 1ffcc96..cc95609 100644
--- a/dbxtest/dbxtest.go
+++ b/dbxtest/dbxtest.go
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.TB, opts ...dbx.Option) *dbx.Cluster {
 		t.Skipf("dbxtest: cannot connect to test database: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := cluster.Ping(ctx); err != nil {
+		cluster.Close()
+		t.Skipf("dbxtest: cannot reach test database: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		cluster.Close()
 	})