diff --git a/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py b/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
--- a/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
@@ -115,6 +115,25 @@
     Structure = object
     c_int = c_double = None
 
+
+def check_enough_semaphores():
+    """Check that the system supports enough semaphores to run the test."""
+    try:
+        nsems_max = os.sysconf("SC_SEM_NSEMS_MAX")
+    except (AttributeError, ValueError):
+        # sysconf not available or setting not available
+        return
+    if nsems_max == -1:
+        # indetermine limit, assume that limit is determined by available memory
+        # only
+        return
+    if nsems_max >= 256:
+        # minimum number of semaphores available according to POSIX
+        return
+    raise unittest.SkipTest("The OS doesn't support enough semaphores "
+                            "to run the test.")
+
+
 #
 # Creates a wrapper for a function which records the time it takes to finish
 #
@@ -2349,6 +2368,8 @@
         except OSError:
             raise unittest.SkipTest("OSError raises on RLock creation, see issue 3111!")
 
+    check_enough_semaphores()
+
     if run is None:
         from test.support import run_unittest as run