diff --git a/.github/workflows/valgrind.yml b/.github/workflows/valgrind.yml
index 4951bf903..ab5e90916 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/valgrind.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/valgrind.yml
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ jobs:
                 CC: ${{ matrix.compiler }}
                 MAKEVARS: ${{ matrix.makevars }}
                 CONFIGURE_OPTS:  ${{ matrix.configureopts }}
+                CHECK_TESTER_NO_VALGRIND:  'no-valgrind'
               run: |
                 /bin/sh ./autogen.sh
                 mkdir build
diff --git a/tests/kdc/check-tester.in b/tests/kdc/check-tester.in
index dba154c29..83b48baf2 100644
--- a/tests/kdc/check-tester.in
+++ b/tests/kdc/check-tester.in
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ testfailed="echo test failed; cat messages.log; exit 1"
 # If there is no useful db support compiled in, disable test
 ${have_db} || exit 77
 
+# Do not run in GutHub valgrind builds -- too slow / not necessary
+[ -n "$CHECK_TESTER_NO_VALGRIND" ] && exit 77
+
 R=TEST.H5L.SE
 
 keytabfile=${objdir}/server.keytab