diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
index 7306962fa6..1aa41084a2 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
@@ -466,10 +466,10 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
     failed_checks = {k: v for k, v in checks.items() if v > 0}
     self.assertFalse(len(failed_checks), f"panda safety doesn't agree with openpilot: {failed_checks}")
 
-  @pytest.mark.skipif(not CI, reason="When running in CI we want to make sure all the routes are uploaded to the preserved CI bucket.")
+  @unittest.skipIf(not CI, "When running in CI we want to make sure all the routes are uploaded to the preserved CI bucket.")
   def test_route_on_ci_bucket(self):
-    assert self.test_route_on_bucket, "Route not on CI bucket. \
-                                       This is fine to fail for WIP car ports, just let us know and we can upload your routes to the CI bucket."
+    self.assertTrue(self.test_route_on_bucket, "Route not on CI bucket. " +
+                    "This is fine to fail for WIP car ports, just let us know and we can upload your routes to the CI bucket.")
 
 
 @parameterized_class(('car_model', 'test_route'), get_test_cases())