diff --git a/.ibm/pipelines/functions.sh b/.ibm/pipelines/functions.sh
index 7cde14fc78..b1e9e3a082 100644
--- a/.ibm/pipelines/functions.sh
+++ b/.ibm/pipelines/functions.sh
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ EOF
 
 skip_if_only() {
     echo "Checking if tests need to be executed..."
+    
+    if [[ ${SKIP_TEST,,} == "false" ]]; then
+        echo "\$SKIP_TEST is false =>  Force running tests."
+        return
+    fi
+    
     NAMES=$(git diff --merge-base --name-only 1.1.x)
     for change in ${NAMES}; do
         skip $change