diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 8687116..d622446 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import os
 import pytest
 
 
@@ -6,9 +7,19 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption('--skip-meta', action='store_true', help='skip test suite-testing tests')
     # Add option to skip slow tests.
     parser.addoption('--skip-slow', action='store_true', help='skip slow tests')
+    # Add option to skip real life tests.
+    parser.addoption('--skip-real', action='store_true', help='skip real life tests')
+
 
 def pytest_runtest_setup(item):
     if 'meta' in item.keywords and item.config.getoption('--skip-meta'):
         pytest.skip('skipping meta test (--skip-meta given)')
     if 'slow' in item.keywords and item.config.getoption('--skip-slow'):
         pytest.skip('skipping slow test (--skip-slow given)')
+
+    if 'real' in item.keywords:
+        if item.config.getoption('--skip-real'):
+            pytest.skip('skipping real life test (--skip-real given)')
+        if (not os.getenv('PYDLE_TESTS_REAL_HOST') or
+            not os.getenv('PYDLE_TESTS_REAL_PORT')):
+            pytest.skip('skipping real life test (no real server given)')
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index a070f06..3ae6c91 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ commands =
 markers =
     slow: may take several seconds or more to complete.
     meta: tests the test suite itself.
+    real: tests pydle against a real server. Requires PYDLE_TESTS_REAL_HOST and PYDLE_TESTS_REAL_PORT environment variables.