diff --git a/tests/test_contribute.py b/tests/test_contribute.py
index cb63f5997..76eda4181 100644
--- a/tests/test_contribute.py
+++ b/tests/test_contribute.py
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ def test_links_are_valid(self):
                     self.assertTrue(
                         200 <= r.status < 400, f'{link} returned {r.status}'
                     )
+                except urllib3.exceptions.MaxRetryError as e:
+                    if isinstance(e.reason, urllib3.exceptions.ReadTimeoutError):
+                        self.skipTest(f'{link}: read timeout, skipping slow server')
+                    self.fail(f'{link}: {e}')
                 except Exception as e:
                     self.fail(f'{link}: {e}')