diff --git a/testsuite/MDAnalysisTests/test_distances.py b/testsuite/MDAnalysisTests/test_distances.py
index 87d92d47a19..3f6108d96f9 100644
--- a/testsuite/MDAnalysisTests/test_distances.py
+++ b/testsuite/MDAnalysisTests/test_distances.py
@@ -715,3 +715,5 @@ def test_missing_backend_raises_ValueError(self):
                                       backend="not_implemented_stuff")
 
 
+def test_used_openmpflag():
+    assert_(isinstance(MDAnalysis.lib.distances.USED_OPENMP, bool))