diff --git a/bin/tests/system/run.sh b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
index 31844dc829..d2c2641b87 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/run.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/run.sh
@@ -39,15 +39,6 @@ echo "S:$test:`date`" >&2
 echo "T:$test:1:A" >&2
 echo "A:System test $test" >&2
 
-# Irix does not have /var/run
-test -f /var/run/system_test_ifsetup ||
-test -f /etc/system_test_ifsetup ||
-    { echo "I:Interfaces not set up.  Not trying system tests." >&2;
-      echo "R:UNTESTED" >&2
-      echo "E:$test:`date`" >&2
-      exit 0;
-    }
-
 if [ x$PERL = x ]
 then
     echo "I:Perl not available.  Not trying system tests." >&2
@@ -56,6 +47,23 @@ then
     exit 0;
 fi
 
+# Irix does not have /var/run
+#test -f /var/run/system_test_ifsetup ||
+#test -f /etc/system_test_ifsetup ||
+#    { echo "I:Interfaces not set up.  Not trying system tests." >&2;
+#      echo "R:UNTESTED" >&2
+#      echo "E:$test:`date`" >&2
+#      exit 0;
+#    }
+
+$PERL testsock.pl || {
+    echo "I:Interfaces not set up.  Not trying system tests." >&2;
+    echo "R:UNTESTED" >&2;
+    echo "E:$test:`date`" >&2;
+    exit 0;
+
+}
+
 # Set up any dynamically generated test data
 if test -f $test/setup.sh
 then
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/testsock.pl b/bin/tests/system/testsock.pl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..292913bb1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/tests/system/testsock.pl
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#!/usr/bin/perl
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2000  Internet Software Consortium.
+# 
+# Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
+# purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+# copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+# 
+# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND INTERNET SOFTWARE CONSORTIUM DISCLAIMS
+# ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+# OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL INTERNET SOFTWARE
+# CONSORTIUM BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+# DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR
+# PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS
+# ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS
+# SOFTWARE.
+
+# Test whether the interfaces on 10.53.0.* are up.
+
+
+for ($id = 1 ; $id < 6 ; $id++) {
+  $sockaddr= 'S n a4 x8';
+  ($name,$aliases,$type,$len,$thisaddr)=gethostbyname("10.53.0.$id");
+  $this=pack($sockaddr,2,0,$thisaddr);
+  
+  socket(IRCSOCK,2,1,0) || die $!;
+  bind(IRCSOCK,$this) || die $!;
+}