diff --git a/test/run_npm_test.sh b/test/run_npm_test.sh
index 97b2445ff..3c6821da7 100755
--- a/test/run_npm_test.sh
+++ b/test/run_npm_test.sh
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ npm test
 rval=$?
 
 # Stop MariaDB servers
-docker-compose down -v
+if [ -z  "$SKIP_SHUTDOWN" ]
+then
+    docker-compose down -v
+fi
 
 exit $rval