diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
index f655a56ca901..38116fab4fe7 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
@@ -9,7 +9,12 @@
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.testing.decorators import cleanup
-from matplotlib.testing.decorators import image_comparison
+from matplotlib.testing.decorators import image_comparison, knownfailureif
+import matplotlib
+
+needs_tex = knownfailureif(
+    not matplotlib.checkdep_tex(),
+    "This test needs a TeX installation")
 
 
 @cleanup
@@ -173,6 +178,7 @@ def test_determinism_notex():
 
 
 @cleanup
+@needs_tex
 def test_determinism_tex():
     # unique filename to allow for parallel testing
     _test_determinism('determinism_tex.svg', usetex=True)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/textpath.py b/lib/matplotlib/textpath.py
index c063c3ad9fa6..b69461917769 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/textpath.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/textpath.py
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ def get_glyphs_tex(self, prop, s, glyph_map=None,
                                                     1094995778)]:
                     try:
                         font.select_charmap(charmap_code)
-                    except ValueError:
+                    except (ValueError, RuntimeError):
                         pass
                     else:
                         break