diff --git a/tests/devx/test_pause_from_non_trio.py b/tests/devx/test_pause_from_non_trio.py
index 4a03a123..2288653f 100644
--- a/tests/devx/test_pause_from_non_trio.py
+++ b/tests/devx/test_pause_from_non_trio.py
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ def test_pause_from_sync(
     `examples/debugging/sync_bp.py`
 
     '''
+    # XXX required for `breakpoint()` overload and
+    # thus`tractor.devx.pause_from_sync()`.
+    pytest.importorskip('greenback')
     child = spawn('sync_bp')
 
     # first `sync_pause()` after nurseries open
@@ -260,6 +263,9 @@ def test_sync_pause_from_aio_task(
     `examples/debugging/asycio_bp.py`
 
     '''
+    # XXX required for `breakpoint()` overload and
+    # thus`tractor.devx.pause_from_sync()`.
+    pytest.importorskip('greenback')
     child = spawn('asyncio_bp')
 
     # RACE on whether trio/asyncio task bps first
diff --git a/tests/devx/test_tooling.py b/tests/devx/test_tooling.py
index c529bed2..3678854a 100644
--- a/tests/devx/test_tooling.py
+++ b/tests/devx/test_tooling.py
@@ -156,8 +156,10 @@ def test_breakpoint_hook_restored(
     calls used.
 
     '''
+    # XXX required for `breakpoint()` overload and
+    # thus`tractor.devx.pause_from_sync()`.
+    pytest.importorskip('greenback')
     child = spawn('restore_builtin_breakpoint')
-
     child.expect(PROMPT)
     try:
         assert_before(