diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/psutil/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/psutil/default.nix
index 5532816a9c1..c77c31faa96 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/psutil/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/psutil/default.nix
@@ -42,15 +42,19 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   # - cpu_times was flaky on darwin
   # - the other disabled tests are likely due to sanboxing (missing specific errors)
   pytestFlagsArray = [
+    # Note: $out must be referenced as test import paths are relative
     "$out/${python.sitePackages}/psutil/tests/test_system.py"
   ];
 
-  # Note: $out must be referenced as test import paths are relative
   disabledTests = [
+    # Some of the tests have build-system hardware-based impurities (like
+    # reading temperature sensor values).  Disable them to avoid the failures
+    # that sometimes result.
     "cpu_freq"
     "cpu_times"
     "disk_io_counters"
     "sensors_battery"
+    "sensors_temperatures"
     "user"
     "test_disk_partitions" # problematic on Hydra's Linux builders, apparently
   ];