diff --git a/tests/cli/test_process.py b/tests/cli/test_process.py
index 32fc02fed0..d123e857bd 100644
--- a/tests/cli/test_process.py
+++ b/tests/cli/test_process.py
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 from contextlib import ExitStack
 from multiprocessing import Process, set_start_method
 # necessary for macos
-set_start_method("fork")
+from sys import platform
+if platform == "darwin":
+    set_start_method("fork")
 
 from ocrd import Resolver, Workspace, OcrdMetsServer
 from ocrd.cli import process_cli