diff --git a/lmfdb/tests/__init__.py b/lmfdb/tests/__init__.py
index 00f510832b..72e1accf64 100644
--- a/lmfdb/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/lmfdb/tests/__init__.py
@@ -79,18 +79,19 @@ def assert_if_magma(self, expected, magma_code, mode='equal'):
         equality only if magma is installed; if it isn't, then the test
         passes."""
         from sage.all import magma
+        has_magma = False
         try:
+            has_magma = "2" == magma.eval("1 + 1")
+        except (RuntimeError, TypeError):
+            pass
+
+        if has_magma:
             if mode == 'equal':
                 assert expected == magma.eval(magma_code)
             elif mode == 'in':
                 assert expected in magma.eval(magma_code)
             else:
                 raise ValueError("mode must be either 'equal' or 'in")
-        except RuntimeError as the_error:
-            if str(the_error).startswith("unable to start magma"):
-                pass
-            else:
-                raise
 
     def check_sage_compiles_and_extract_variables(self, sage_code):
         """
diff --git a/lmfdb/tests/test_utils.py b/lmfdb/tests/test_utils.py
index 387820dad1..2150238de2 100644
--- a/lmfdb/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/lmfdb/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def test_signtocolour(self):
         Checking utility: signtocolour
         """
         self.assertEqual(signtocolour(0), 'rgb(63,63,255)')
-        self.assertEqual(signtocolour(1+2j), 'rgb(197,0,184)')
+        self.assertEqual(signtocolour("1+2*I"), 'rgb(197,0,184)')
 
     def test_rgbtohex(self):
         r"""