diff --git a/test/unit/app/queue_worker/conftest.py b/test/unit/app/queue_worker/conftest.py
index b117847b40c..3849e7b8690 100644
--- a/test/unit/app/queue_worker/conftest.py
+++ b/test/unit/app/queue_worker/conftest.py
@@ -4,13 +4,17 @@ from typing import Optional
 
 import pytest
 
+try:
+    import psycopg
+except ImportError:
+    psycopg = None
+
 try:
     import psycopg2
 except ImportError:
     psycopg2 = None
 
 from galaxy.app_unittest_utils import galaxy_mock
-from galaxy.util import which
 
 
 def create_base_test(connection, amqp_type: str, amqp_connection: Optional[str] = None):
@@ -48,9 +52,6 @@ def sqlite_app(sqlite_connection):
 def postgres_app(postgresql_proc):
     connection = "postgresql://{p.user}@{p.host}:{p.port}/".format(p=postgresql_proc)
 
-    if not psycopg2:
-        pytest.skip("psycopg2 must be installed for postgresql fixture")
-
     def create_app():
         return create_base_test(connection, amqp_type="postgres")
 
@@ -60,12 +61,11 @@ def postgres_app(postgresql_proc):
 @pytest.fixture(params=["postgres_app", "sqlite_app", "sqlite_rabbitmq_app"])
 def database_app(request):
     if request.param == "postgres_app":
-        if not which("initdb"):
-            pytest.skip("initdb must be on PATH for postgresql fixture")
+        if not psycopg:
+            pytest.skip("psycopg must be installed for postgresql_proc fixture")
+        if not psycopg2:
+            pytest.skip("psycopg2 must be installed for database_app fixture")
     if request.param == "sqlite_rabbitmq_app":
         if not os.environ.get("GALAXY_TEST_AMQP_INTERNAL_CONNECTION"):
             pytest.skip("rabbitmq tests will be skipped if GALAXY_TEST_AMQP_INTERNAL_CONNECTION env var is unset")
-    try:
-        return request.getfixturevalue(request.param)
-    except ImportError:
-        pytest.skip("psycopg2 must be installed for postgresql fixture")
+    return request.getfixturevalue(request.param)