diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 81b3871c6e..28510aad09 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -417,6 +417,14 @@ cross-version-config-tests:
     reports:
       junit: junit.xml
 
+.system_test_make_check: &system_test_make_check_job
+  <<: *system_test_common
+  script:
+    - cd bin/tests/system
+    - make -j${TEST_PARALLEL_JOBS:-1} check
+  after_script:
+    - cat bin/tests/system/test-suite.log || true
+
 .system_test_gcov: &system_test_gcov_job
   <<: *system_test_common
   artifacts:
@@ -1323,6 +1331,7 @@ clang:openbsd:amd64:
 system:clang:openbsd:amd64:
   <<: *openbsd_amd64_image
   <<: *system_test_job
+  <<: *system_test_make_check_job
   <<: *api_schedules_triggers_web_triggering_rules
   variables:
     USER: gitlab-runner
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/.gitignore b/bin/tests/system/.gitignore
index d26b4b0d3d..15eb5b4f44 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/.gitignore
+++ b/bin/tests/system/.gitignore
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ named.run
 /random.data
 /*.log
 /*.trs
+/*.xml
 /resolve
 /legacy.run.sh
 /run.log
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/Makefile.am b/bin/tests/system/Makefile.am
index 3607451e4e..013d33f85f 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/Makefile.am
+++ b/bin/tests/system/Makefile.am
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ LDADD +=			\
 	$(LIBDNS_LIBS)
 
 if HAVE_PERL
+if HAVE_PYTHON
+if HAVE_PYTEST
 
 noinst_PROGRAMS =		\
 	feature-test		\
@@ -68,23 +70,14 @@ rpz_dnsrps_LDADD =		\
 	$(LIBDNS_LIBS)		\
 	$(DLOPEN_LIBS)
 
-TESTS =
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_TIME_HIRES
-TESTS += serve-stale
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_TIME_HIRES
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-TESTS +=		\
-	rpzrecurse
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-
-if HAVE_LIBNGHTTP2
-TESTS +=		\
-	doth
-endif
-
-TESTS +=			\
+# Longer running tests are listed (and executed) first to take the most
+# advantage of parallel execution.
+TESTS =				\
+	rpz			\
+	rpzrecurse		\
+	serve-stale		\
+	timeouts		\
+	upforwd			\
 	acl			\
 	additional		\
 	addzone			\
@@ -96,13 +89,21 @@ TESTS +=			\
 	case			\
 	catz			\
 	cds			\
+	chain			\
 	checkconf		\
+	checkds			\
 	checknames		\
 	checkzone		\
+	cookie			\
 	database		\
 	dialup			\
+	digdelv			\
+	dispatch		\
 	dlzexternal		\
 	dns64			\
+	dnssec			\
+	dnstap			\
+	doth			\
 	dsdigest		\
 	dyndb			\
 	ecdsa			\
@@ -111,16 +112,20 @@ TESTS +=			\
 	emptyzones		\
 	enginepkcs11		\
 	filter-aaaa		\
+	fetchlimit		\
 	formerr			\
+	forward			\
 	geoip2			\
 	glue			\
 	idna			\
 	include-multiplecfg	\
 	inline			\
 	integrity		\
+	ixfr			\
 	hooks			\
 	host			\
 	journal			\
+	kasp			\
 	keepalive		\
 	keyfromlabel		\
 	legacy			\
@@ -131,28 +136,40 @@ TESTS +=			\
 	metadata		\
 	mirror			\
 	mkeys			\
+	multisigner		\
 	names			\
 	notify			\
 	nsec3			\
 	nslookup		\
+	nsupdate		\
+	nzd2nzf			\
 	padding			\
 	pending			\
+	pipelined		\
+	qmin			\
+	reclimit		\
 	redirect		\
+	resolver		\
 	rndc			\
 	rootkeysentinel		\
-	rpz			\
+	rpzextra		\
 	rrchecker		\
 	rrl			\
 	rrsetorder		\
 	rsabigexponent		\
 	runtime			\
 	sfcache			\
+	shutdown		\
 	smartsign		\
 	sortlist		\
 	spf			\
 	staticstub		\
+	statistics		\
+	statschannel		\
+	stress			\
 	stub			\
 	synthfromdnssec		\
+	tcp			\
 	tools			\
 	transport-acl		\
 	tsig			\
@@ -162,62 +179,21 @@ TESTS +=			\
 	verify			\
 	views			\
 	wildcard		\
+	xfer			\
 	xferquota		\
+	zero			\
 	zonechecks
 
-if HAVE_LMDB
-TESTS += nzd2nzf
-endif # HAVE_LMDB
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-
-TESTS +=		\
-	fetchlimit	\
-	ixfr		\
-	nsupdate	\
-	resolver	\
-	statistics	\
-	stress		\
-	upforwd		\
-	zero
-
-if HAVE_DNSTAP
-TESTS += dnstap
-endif
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_FILE_FETCH
-TESTS += statschannel
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_FILE_FETCH
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_DIGEST_HMAC
-TESTS += xfer
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_DIGEST_HMAC
-
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS_NAMESERVER
-TESTS += reclimit
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS_NAMESERVER
-
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-
-if HAVE_PYTHON
-TESTS += kasp multisigner tcp pipelined
-
-if HAVE_PYTEST
-TESTS += checkds dispatch rpzextra shutdown timeouts
-endif
-
-if HAVE_PYMOD_DNS
-TESTS += qmin cookie
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-TESTS += digdelv dnssec forward
-if HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS_NAMESERVER
-TESTS += chain
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS_NAMESERVER
-endif HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS
-endif HAVE_PYMOD_DNS
-
-endif HAVE_PYTHON
-
+else !HAVE_PYTEST
+check:
+	echo pytest is not available, no tests were ran
+	exit 1
+endif !HAVE_PYTEST
+else !HAVE_PYTHON
+check:
+	echo Python is not available, no tests were ran
+	exit 1
+endif !HAVE_PYTHON
 else !HAVE_PERL
 check:
 	echo Perl is not available, no tests were ran
@@ -232,10 +208,7 @@ LOG_DRIVER_V_1 = --verbose yes
 LOG_DRIVER = $(srcdir)/custom-test-driver
 AM_LOG_DRIVER_FLAGS = $(LOG_DRIVER_V)
 
-LOG_COMPILER = $(builddir)/legacy.run.sh
-AM_LOG_FLAGS = -r
-
-$(TESTS): legacy.run.sh
+LOG_COMPILER = $(srcdir)/run.sh
 
 test-local: check
 
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/chain/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/chain/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ae09abfe3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/chain/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS::Nameserver -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS::Nameserver module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
index 0be546b810..4a9f72e6aa 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/conftest.py
@@ -267,13 +267,21 @@ else:
 
     @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
     def modules():
-        """Sorted list of all modules. Used to determine port distribution."""
+        """
+        Sorted list of ALL modules.
+
+        The list includes even test modules that are not tested in the current
+        session. It is used to determine port distribution. Using a complete
+        list of all possible test modules allows independent concurrent pytest
+        invocations.
+        """
         mods = []
-        for dirpath, _dirs, files in os.walk(os.getcwd()):
+        for dirpath, _dirs, files in os.walk(FILE_DIR):
             for file in files:
                 if file.startswith("tests_") and file.endswith(".py"):
                     mod = f"{dirpath}/{file}"
-                    mods.append(mod)
+                    if not pytest_ignore_collect(mod):
+                        mods.append(mod)
         return sorted(mods)
 
     @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
@@ -281,11 +289,11 @@ else:
         """
         Dictionary containing assigned base port for every module.
 
-        Note that this is a session-wide fixture. The port numbers are
-        deterministically assigned before any testing starts. This fixture MUST
-        return the same value when called again during the same test session.
-        When running tests in parallel, this is exactly what happens - every
-        worker thread will call this fixture to determine test ports.
+        The port numbers are deterministically assigned before any testing
+        starts. This fixture MUST return the same value when called again
+        during the same test session. When running tests in parallel, this is
+        exactly what happens - every worker thread will call this fixture to
+        determine test ports.
         """
         port_min = PORT_MIN
         port_max = PORT_MAX - len(modules) * PORTS_PER_TEST
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/convert-junit-to-trs.py b/bin/tests/system/convert-junit-to-trs.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..7d490fa550
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/convert-junit-to-trs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+#
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# Convert JUnit pytest output to automake .trs files
+
+import argparse
+import sys
+from xml.etree import ElementTree
+
+
+def junit_to_trs(junit_xml):
+    root = ElementTree.fromstring(junit_xml)
+    testcases = root.findall("./testsuite/testcase")
+
+    if len(testcases) < 1:
+        print(":test-result: ERROR convert-junit-to-trs.py")
+        return 99
+
+    has_fail = False
+    has_error = False
+    has_skipped = False
+    for testcase in testcases:
+        filename = f"{testcase.attrib['classname'].replace('.', '/')}.py"
+        name = f"{filename}::{testcase.attrib['name']}"
+        res = "PASS"
+        for node in testcase:
+            if node.tag == "failure":
+                res = "FAIL"
+                has_fail = True
+            elif node.tag == "error":
+                res = "ERROR"
+                has_error = True
+            elif node.tag == "skipped":
+                if node.attrib["type"] == "pytest.xfail":
+                    res = "XFAIL"
+                else:
+                    res = "SKIP"
+                    has_skipped = True
+        print(f":test-result: {res} {name}")
+
+    if has_error:
+        return 99
+    if has_fail:
+        return 1
+    if has_skipped:
+        return 77
+    return 0
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Convert JUnit XML to Automake TRS and exit with "
+        "the appropriate Automake-compatible exit code."
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "junit_file",
+        type=argparse.FileType("r", encoding="utf-8"),
+        help="junit xml result file",
+    )
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    junit_xml = args.junit_file.read()
+    sys.exit(junit_to_trs(junit_xml))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/cookie/.gitignore b/bin/tests/system/cookie/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index eee491d3c6..0000000000
--- a/bin/tests/system/cookie/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-prereq.sh
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/cookie/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/cookie/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a48d383456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/cookie/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/custom-test-driver b/bin/tests/system/custom-test-driver
index 7499aa0bc0..fed98cccc6 100755
--- a/bin/tests/system/custom-test-driver
+++ b/bin/tests/system/custom-test-driver
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ END
 test_name= # Used for reporting.
 log_file=  # Where to save the output of the test script.
 trs_file=  # Where to save the metadata of the test run.
-status_file= # Where to save the status of the test run.
+junit_file=  # Where to save pytest junit output.
 expect_failure=no
 color_tests=no
 enable_hard_errors=yes
@@ -67,8 +67,7 @@ while test $# -gt 0; do
   --version) echo "test-driver $scriptversion"; exit $?;;
   --test-name) test_name=$2; shift;;
   --log-file) log_file=$2; shift;;
-  --trs-file) trs_file=$2; shift;;
-  --status-file) status_file=$2; shift;;
+  --trs-file) trs_file=$2; junit_file=$(echo $trs_file | sed 's/\.trs$/\.xml/'); shift;;
   --color-tests) color_tests=$2; shift;;
   --expect-failure) expect_failure=$2; shift;;
   --enable-hard-errors) enable_hard_errors=$2; shift;;
@@ -104,22 +103,22 @@ else
   red= grn= lgn= blu= mgn= std=
 fi
 
-do_exit='rm -f $log_file $trs_file $status_file; (exit $st); exit $st'
+do_exit='rm -f $log_file $trs_file $junit_file; (exit $st); exit $st'
 trap "st=129; $do_exit" 1
 trap "st=130; $do_exit" 2
 trap "st=141; $do_exit" 13
 trap "st=143; $do_exit" 15
 
-# Set default
-test x"$status_file" = x && status_file=$(mktemp ./custom-test-runner.XXXXXX)
 # Test script is run here.
 if test $verbose = yes; then
-  ("$@" 2>&1; echo $? > "$status_file") | tee $log_file
+  "$@" --junit-xml $PWD/$junit_file 2>&1 | tee $log_file
 else
-  "$@" >$log_file 2>&1; echo $? > "$status_file"
+  "$@" --junit-xml $PWD/$junit_file >$log_file 2>&1
 fi
-read -r estatus < "$status_file"
-rm "$status_file"
+
+# Run junit to trs converter script.
+./convert-junit-to-trs.py $junit_file > $trs_file
+estatus=$?
 
 if test $enable_hard_errors = no && test $estatus -eq 99; then
   tweaked_estatus=1
@@ -145,8 +144,7 @@ echo "$res $test_name (exit status: $estatus)" >>$log_file
 # Report outcome to console.
 echo "${col}${res}${std}: $test_name"
 
-# Register the test result, and other relevant metadata.
-echo ":test-result: $res" > $trs_file
+# Register other relevant test metadata.
 echo ":global-test-result: $res" >> $trs_file
 echo ":recheck: $recheck" >> $trs_file
 echo ":copy-in-global-log: $gcopy" >> $trs_file
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/digdelv/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/digdelv/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..213178ada2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/digdelv/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/dnssec/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/dnssec/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..213178ada2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/dnssec/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/fetchlimit/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/fetchlimit/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/fetchlimit/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/forward/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/forward/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..213178ada2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/forward/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/ixfr/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/ixfr/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/ixfr/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/legacy.run.sh.in b/bin/tests/system/legacy.run.sh.in
index e468d517b1..50af41c41d 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/legacy.run.sh.in
+++ b/bin/tests/system/legacy.run.sh.in
@@ -44,11 +44,8 @@ else
     clean=true
 fi
 
-do_run=false
 restart=false
-log_flags="-r"
-while getopts "sknp:r-:t" OPT; do
-    log_flags="$log_flags -$OPT$OPTARG"
+while getopts "sknp:-:t" OPT; do
     if [ "$OPT" = "-" ] && [ -n "$OPTARG" ]; then
         OPT="${OPTARG%%=*}"
         OPTARG="${OPTARG#$OPT}"
@@ -60,7 +57,6 @@ while getopts "sknp:r-:t" OPT; do
         k | keep) stopservers=false ;;
         n | noclean) clean=false ;;
         p | port) baseport=$OPTARG ;;
-        r | run) do_run=true ;;
         s | skip) exit 77 ;;
         t | restart) restart=true ;;
         -) break ;;
@@ -70,31 +66,6 @@ done
 
 shift $((OPTIND-1))
 
-if ! $do_run; then
-    if [ "$baseport" -eq 0 ]; then
-        log_flags="$log_flags -p 5300"
-    fi
-    env - \
-        SYSTEMTEST_FORCE_COLOR="$SYSTEMTEST_FORCE_COLOR" \
-        SYSTEMTEST_NO_CLEAN="$SYSTEMTEST_NO_CLEAN" \
-        SLOT="$SLOT" \
-        ${OPENSSL_CONF:+OPENSSL_CONF="$OPENSSL_CONF"} \
-        SOFTHSM2_CONF="$SOFTHSM2_CONF" \
-        PATH="$PATH" \
-        ${LD_LIBRARY_PATH:+"LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}"} \
-        TESTS="$*" \
-        TEST_SUITE_LOG=run.log \
-        LOG_DRIVER_FLAGS="--verbose yes --color-tests yes" \
-        LOG_FLAGS="$log_flags" \
-        TEST_LARGE_MAP="${TEST_LARGE_MAP}" \
-        CI_ENABLE_ALL_TESTS="${CI_ENABLE_ALL_TESTS}" \
-	${TSAN_OPTIONS:+"TSAN_OPTIONS=${TSAN_OPTIONS}"} \
-	${VIRTUAL_ENV:+"VIRTUAL_ENV=${VIRTUAL_ENV}"} \
-	${PERL5LIB:+"PERL5LIB=${PERL5LIB}"} \
-        make -e check
-    exit $?
-fi
-
 if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
     echofail "Usage: $0 [-k] [-n] [-p <PORT>] test-directory [test-options]" >&2;
     exit 1
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/qmin/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/qmin/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a48d383456
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/qmin/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PYTHON} -c 'import dns'
+then
+	echo_i "python dns module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/reclimit/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/reclimit/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ab548bc4f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/reclimit/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS::Nameserver -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS::Nameserver module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/resolver/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/resolver/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/resolver/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/rpzrecurse/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/rpzrecurse/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/rpzrecurse/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..01ac7e3944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/serve-stale/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MTime::HiRes -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Time::HiRes module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/statistics/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/statistics/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/statistics/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/statschannel/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/statschannel/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77d0c38334
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/statschannel/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MFile::Fetch -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl File::Fetch module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/stress/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/stress/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/stress/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/upforwd/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/upforwd/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/upforwd/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/xfer/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/xfer/prereq.sh
index c7b78281e2..76252a3cd8 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/xfer/prereq.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/xfer/prereq.sh
@@ -16,11 +16,17 @@
 # macOS ships with Net::DNS 0.74 which does not work with
 # HMAC-SHA256, despite the workarounds in ans.pl
 
-if perl -MNet::DNS -e 'exit $Net::DNS::VERSION >= 1.0'
+if ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e 'exit ($Net::DNS::VERSION >= 1.0)'
 then
-	version=$(perl -MNet::DNS -e 'print $Net::DNS::VERSION')
+	version=$(${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e 'print $Net::DNS::VERSION')
 	echo_i "perl Net::DNS $version is too old - skipping xfer test"
 	exit 1
 fi
 
+if ! ${PERL} -MDigest::HMAC -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Digest::HMAC module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
 exit 0
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/zero/prereq.sh b/bin/tests/system/zero/prereq.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0c29427e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/zero/prereq.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Copyright (C) Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. ("ISC")
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MPL-2.0
+#
+# This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
+# License, v. 2.0.  If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
+# file, you can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+#
+# See the COPYRIGHT file distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+
+. ../conf.sh
+
+if ! ${PERL} -MNet::DNS -e ''
+then
+	echo_i "perl Net::DNS module is required"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index d4788a1e82..e6d286c161 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -311,26 +311,6 @@ AC_PATH_PROGS([PERL], [perl5 perl])
 AC_SUBST([PERL])
 AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERL], [test -n "$PERL"])
 
-AX_PERL_MODULE([Digest::HMAC])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERLMOD_DIGEST_HMAC],
-	       [test "$HAVE_PERLMOD_DIGEST__HMAC" = "yes"])
-
-AX_PERL_MODULE([File::Fetch])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERLMOD_FILE_FETCH],
-	       [test "$HAVE_PERLMOD_FILE__FETCH" = "yes"])
-
-AX_PERL_MODULE([Net::DNS])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS],
-	       [test "$HAVE_PERLMOD_NET__DNS" = "yes"])
-
-AX_PERL_MODULE([Net::DNS::Nameserver])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERLMOD_NET_DNS_NAMESERVER],
-	       [test "$HAVE_PERLMOD_NET__DNS__NAMESERVER" = "yes"])
-
-AX_PERL_MODULE([Time::HiRes])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PERLMOD_TIME_HIRES],
-	       [test "$HAVE_PERLMOD_TIME__HIRES" = "yes"])
-
 #
 # Python is optional, it is used only by some of the system test scripts.
 #
@@ -343,9 +323,6 @@ AS_IF([test -z "$PYTEST"],
 AC_SUBST([PYTEST])
 AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PYTEST], [test -n "$PYTEST"])
 
-AX_PYTHON_MODULE([dns])
-AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_PYMOD_DNS], [test "$HAVE_PYMOD_DNS" = "yes"])
-
 #
 # xsltproc is optional, it is used only by system test scripts.
 #