diff --git a/CHANGES/11363.packaging b/CHANGES/11363.packaging
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..65d54bf48c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGES/11363.packaging
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+The `blockbuster` test dependency is now optional; the corresponding test fixture is disabled when it is unavailable
+-- by :user:`musicinybrain`.
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 24c023738da..41ed907ea70 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -12,7 +12,13 @@
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import pytest
-from blockbuster import blockbuster_ctx
+
+try:
+    from blockbuster import blockbuster_ctx
+
+    HAS_BLOCKBUSTER = True
+except ImportError:  # For downstreams only  # pragma: no cover
+    HAS_BLOCKBUSTER = False
 
 from aiohttp import payload
 from aiohttp.client_proto import ResponseHandler
@@ -46,7 +52,7 @@
 IS_LINUX = sys.platform.startswith("linux")
 
 
-@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=HAS_BLOCKBUSTER)
 def blockbuster(request: pytest.FixtureRequest) -> Iterator[None]:
     # Allow selectively disabling blockbuster for specific tests
     # using the @pytest.mark.skip_blockbuster marker.