diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
index 70a97984494..f7eaaa548fa 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -827,10 +827,19 @@ class BitcoinTestFramework(metaclass=BitcoinTestMetaClass):
                     self.options.previous_releases_path))
         return self.options.prev_releases
 
+    def skip_if_no_external_signer(self):
+        """Skip the running test if external signer support has not been compiled."""
+        if not self.is_external_signer_compiled():
+            raise SkipTest("external signer support has not been compiled.")
+
     def is_cli_compiled(self):
         """Checks whether bitcoin-cli was compiled."""
         return self.config["components"].getboolean("ENABLE_CLI")
 
+    def is_external_signer_compiled(self):
+        """Checks whether external signer support was compiled."""
+        return self.config["components"].getboolean("ENABLE_EXTERNAL_SIGNER")
+
     def is_wallet_compiled(self):
         """Checks whether the wallet module was compiled."""
         return self.config["components"].getboolean("ENABLE_WALLET")