diff --git a/tests/check/elements/parser.c b/tests/check/elements/parser.c
index 749492c849..70b05b0358 100644
--- a/tests/check/elements/parser.c
+++ b/tests/check/elements/parser.c
@@ -151,8 +151,10 @@ setup_element (const gchar * factory, ElementSetup setup,
   sinkpad = gst_check_setup_sink_pad (element, sink_template);
   gst_pad_set_active (srcpad, TRUE);
   gst_pad_set_active (sinkpad, TRUE);
-  fail_unless (gst_pad_set_caps (srcpad, src_caps));
-  fail_unless (gst_pad_set_caps (sinkpad, sink_caps));
+  if (src_caps)
+    fail_unless (gst_pad_set_caps (srcpad, src_caps));
+  if (sink_caps)
+    fail_unless (gst_pad_set_caps (sinkpad, sink_caps));
 
   bus = gst_bus_new ();
   gst_element_set_bus (element, bus);