diff --git a/sparse.py b/sparse.py
index 9b10fb2..a2a871d 100644
--- a/sparse.py
+++ b/sparse.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 if 'SKIPSPARSE' in os.environ:
     print("# skipping sparse as requested")
-    exit(1)
+    exit(0)
 
 myplatform = sys.platform
 if myplatform == 'linux2':