diff --git a/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run b/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
index 262301d0e7..20203845df 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
@@ -90,4 +90,7 @@ lappend_if [have_spec gpio]        boot_modules gpio_drv
 
 build_boot_image $boot_modules
 
+# disable QEMU graphic to enable testing on our machines without SDL and X
+append qemu_args "-nographic -m 128"
+
 run_genode_until {.*--- Framebuffer benchmark finished ---.*\n} 30