diff --git a/scikits/image/__init__.py b/scikits/image/__init__.py
index 3640c1ee..29d9c5e1 100644
--- a/scikits/image/__init__.py
+++ b/scikits/image/__init__.py
@@ -6,3 +6,22 @@ import os.path as _osp
 data_dir = _osp.join(_osp.dirname(__file__), 'data')
 
 from version import version as __version__
+
+def _setup_test():
+    import functools
+
+    basedir = _osp.dirname(_osp.join(__file__, '../'))
+    args = ['', '--exe', '-w', '%s' % basedir]
+
+    try:
+        import nose as _nose
+    except ImportError:
+        print "Could not load nose.  Unit tests not available."
+        return None
+    else:
+        return functools.partial(_nose.run, 'scikits.image', argv=args)
+
+test = _setup_test()
+if test is None:
+    del test
+