diff --git a/test/slice.py b/test/slice.py
index b3c2dbcd..fb6a7b03 100644
--- a/test/slice.py
+++ b/test/slice.py
@@ -9,7 +9,24 @@
 ...     print "test passed"
 ...
 test passed
->>> check_numeric_array_rich_slice()
+>>> have_numeric = 0
+>>> try:
+...     from Numeric import array
+...     have_numeric = 1
+... except:
+...     pass
+...
+>>> try:
+...     from numarray import array
+...     have_numeric = 1
+... except:
+...     pass
+...
+>>> if have_numeric:
+...     check_numeric_array_rich_slice()
+... else:
+...     print 1
+...
 1
 >>> import sys
 >>> if sys.version_info[0] == 2 and sys.version_info[1] >= 3:
@@ -23,7 +40,8 @@ test passed
 """
 
 # Performs an affirmative and negative argument resolution check,
-# checks the operation of extended slicing in Numeric.array's
+# checks the operation of extended slicing in Numeric arrays
+#   (only performed if Numeric.array or numarray.array can be found).
 # checks the operation of extended slicing in new strings (Python 2.3 only).
 
 def run(args = None):