diff --git a/docs/devel/testing.rst b/docs/devel/testing.rst
index 22218dbedb..579d1837e0 100644
--- a/docs/devel/testing.rst
+++ b/docs/devel/testing.rst
@@ -1371,23 +1371,32 @@ conditions. For example, tests that take longer to execute when QEMU is
 compiled with debug flags. Therefore, the ``AVOCADO_TIMEOUT_EXPECTED`` variable
 has been used to determine whether those tests should run or not.
 
-GITLAB_CI
-^^^^^^^^^
-A number of tests are flagged to not run on the GitLab CI. Usually because
-they proved to the flaky or there are constraints on the CI environment which
-would make them fail. If you encounter a similar situation then use that
-variable as shown on the code snippet below to skip the test:
+QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Some tests are not working reliably and thus are disabled by default.
+This includes tests that don't run reliably on GitLab's CI which
+usually expose real issues that are rarely seen on developer machines
+due to the constraints of the CI environment. If you encounter a
+similar situation then mark the test as shown on the code snippet
+below:
 
 .. code::
 
-  @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+  @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
   def test(self):
       do_something()
 
-QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-Some tests are not working reliably and thus are disabled by default.
-Set this environment variable to enable them.
+Tests should not live in this state forever and should either be fixed
+or eventually removed. If you move a test into this category please
+consider raising a bug to track progress towards a fix.
+
+To run such tests locally you will need to set the environment
+variable. For example:
+
+.. code::
+
+   env QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS=1 ./pyvenv/bin/avocado run \
+      tests/avocado/boot_linux.py:BootLinuxPPC64.test_pseries_tcg
 
 Uninstalling Avocado
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/tests/avocado/boot_linux.py b/tests/avocado/boot_linux.py
index be30dcbd58..9e9773e6e1 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/boot_linux.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/boot_linux.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 from avocado_qemu import LinuxTest, BUILD_DIR
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 
 
 class BootLinuxX8664(LinuxTest):
@@ -93,7 +93,8 @@ class BootLinuxPPC64(LinuxTest):
 
     timeout = 360
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_pseries_tcg(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=machine:pseries
@@ -111,7 +112,8 @@ class BootLinuxS390X(LinuxTest):
 
     timeout = 240
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_s390_ccw_virtio_tcg(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=machine:s390-ccw-virtio
diff --git a/tests/avocado/boot_linux_console.py b/tests/avocado/boot_linux_console.py
index 6eab515718..231b4f68e5 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/boot_linux_console.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/boot_linux_console.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 from avocado import skip
 from avocado import skipUnless
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
 from avocado_qemu import exec_command
 from avocado_qemu import exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern
@@ -1419,7 +1419,8 @@ def test_ppc_mac99(self):
     # This test has a 6-10% failure rate on various hosts that look
     # like issues with a buggy kernel. As a result we don't want it
     # gating releases on Gitlab.
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_sh4_r2d(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:sh4
diff --git a/tests/avocado/intel_iommu.py b/tests/avocado/intel_iommu.py
index 77635ab56c..2dd11a6346 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/intel_iommu.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/intel_iommu.py
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@
 # later.  See the COPYING file in the top-level directory.
 import os
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import LinuxTest
 
-@skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+@skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
 class IntelIOMMU(LinuxTest):
     """
     :avocado: tags=arch:x86_64
diff --git a/tests/avocado/linux_initrd.py b/tests/avocado/linux_initrd.py
index ba02e5a563..c40a987bd1 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/linux_initrd.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/linux_initrd.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import tempfile
 
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 
 
 class LinuxInitrd(QemuSystemTest):
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ def test_with_2gib_file_should_exit_error_msg_with_linux_v3_6(self):
                 max_size + 1)
             self.assertRegex(self.vm.get_log(), expected_msg)
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_with_2gib_file_should_work_with_linux_v4_16(self):
         """
         QEMU has supported up to 4 GiB initrd for recent kernel
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py b/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
index df31b2a8a8..258fb50c47 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 from avocado_qemu import interrupt_interactive_console_until_pattern
 from avocado_qemu import has_cmd
 from avocado.utils import archive
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado import skipUnless
 
 
@@ -311,7 +311,8 @@ def do_test_arm_aspeed_sdk_start(self, image):
             self, 'boot', '## Loading kernel from FIT Image')
         self.wait_for_console_pattern('Starting kernel ...')
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_arm_ast2500_evb_sdk(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:arm
@@ -329,7 +330,8 @@ def test_arm_ast2500_evb_sdk(self):
             self.workdir + '/ast2500-default/image-bmc')
         self.wait_for_console_pattern('nodistro.0 ast2500-default ttyS4')
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_arm_ast2600_evb_sdk(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:arm
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py b/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
index 9bd54518bf..959dcf5602 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 import gzip
 import logging
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado.utils import archive
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
@@ -101,7 +101,8 @@ def test_mips_malta_i6400_framebuffer_logo_1core(self):
         """
         self.do_test_i6400_framebuffer_logo(1)
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_mips_malta_i6400_framebuffer_logo_7cores(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:mips64el
@@ -111,7 +112,8 @@ def test_mips_malta_i6400_framebuffer_logo_7cores(self):
         """
         self.do_test_i6400_framebuffer_logo(7)
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_mips_malta_i6400_framebuffer_logo_8cores(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:mips64el
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_rx_gdbsim.py b/tests/avocado/machine_rx_gdbsim.py
index 6cd8704b01..350a73fbbb 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_rx_gdbsim.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_rx_gdbsim.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 import os
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
 from avocado_qemu import exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern
 from avocado_qemu import wait_for_console_pattern
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ class RxGdbSimMachine(QemuSystemTest):
     timeout = 30
     KERNEL_COMMON_COMMAND_LINE = 'printk.time=0 '
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_uboot(self):
         """
         U-Boot and checks that the console is operational.
@@ -46,7 +47,8 @@ def test_uboot(self):
         # FIXME limit baudrate on chardev, else we type too fast
         #exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'version', gcc_version)
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_linux_sash(self):
         """
         Boots a Linux kernel and checks that the console is operational.
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py b/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
index ffd914ded9..61e75d8f9e 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 import os
 import tempfile
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
 from avocado_qemu import exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern
 from avocado_qemu import wait_for_console_pattern
diff --git a/tests/avocado/replay_kernel.py b/tests/avocado/replay_kernel.py
index 53cb7e5091..a60f1d1e54 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/replay_kernel.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/replay_kernel.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 import time
 
 from avocado import skip
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import wait_for_console_pattern
 from avocado.utils import archive
@@ -179,7 +179,8 @@ def test_arm_virt(self):
 
         self.run_rr(kernel_path, kernel_command_line, console_pattern, shift=1)
 
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_arm_cubieboard_initrd(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:arm
diff --git a/tests/avocado/reverse_debugging.py b/tests/avocado/reverse_debugging.py
index ed04e92bb4..9a468321e5 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/reverse_debugging.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/reverse_debugging.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import os
 import logging
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import BUILD_DIR
 from avocado.utils import datadrainer
 from avocado.utils import gdb
@@ -206,7 +206,8 @@ def get_pc(self, g):
             + self.get_reg_le(g, self.REG_CS) * 0x10
 
     # unidentified gitlab timeout problem
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_x86_64_pc(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:x86_64
@@ -223,7 +224,8 @@ class ReverseDebugging_AArch64(ReverseDebugging):
     REG_PC = 32
 
     # unidentified gitlab timeout problem
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_aarch64_virt(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:aarch64
@@ -247,7 +249,8 @@ class ReverseDebugging_ppc64(ReverseDebugging):
     REG_PC = 0x40
 
     # unidentified gitlab timeout problem
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_ppc64_pseries(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:ppc64
@@ -260,7 +263,8 @@ def test_ppc64_pseries(self):
         self.reverse_debugging()
 
     # See https://gitlab.com/qemu-project/qemu/-/issues/1992
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
     def test_ppc64_powernv(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:ppc64
diff --git a/tests/avocado/smmu.py b/tests/avocado/smmu.py
index b3c4de6bf4..05b34418a5 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/smmu.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/smmu.py
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@
 # later.  See the COPYING file in the top-level directory.
 import os
 
-from avocado import skipIf
+from avocado import skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import LinuxTest, BUILD_DIR
 
-@skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Running on GitLab')
+@skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
+
 class SMMU(LinuxTest):
     """
     :avocado: tags=accel:kvm
diff --git a/tests/avocado/tuxrun_baselines.py b/tests/avocado/tuxrun_baselines.py
index c99bea6c0b..5f859f4e6f 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/tuxrun_baselines.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/tuxrun_baselines.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import time
 import tempfile
 
-from avocado import skip, skipIf
+from avocado import skip, skipUnless
 from avocado_qemu import QemuSystemTest
 from avocado_qemu import exec_command, exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern
 from avocado_qemu import wait_for_console_pattern
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ def test_s390(self):
                            haltmsg="Requesting system halt")
 
     # Note: some segfaults caused by unaligned userspace access
-    @skipIf(os.getenv('GITLAB_CI'), 'Skipping unstable test on GitLab')
+    @skipUnless(os.getenv('QEMU_TEST_FLAKY_TESTS'), 'Test is unstable on GitLab')
     def test_sh4(self):
         """
         :avocado: tags=arch:sh4
