diff --git a/git/test/test_remote.py b/git/test/test_remote.py
index 7c1711c27..b7a57d0be 100644
--- a/git/test/test_remote.py
+++ b/git/test/test_remote.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 # This module is part of GitPython and is released under
 # the BSD License: http://www.opensource.org/licenses/bsd-license.php
 
+import platform
 import random
 import tempfile
 from unittest import skipIf
@@ -34,6 +35,8 @@
 from git.util import IterableList, rmtree, HIDE_WINDOWS_FREEZE_ERRORS
 import os.path as osp
 
+platform_version = platform.version()
+IS_DIST_XENIAL = '-Ubuntu' in platform_version and '16.04' in platform_version
 
 # assure we have repeatable results
 random.seed(0)
@@ -398,6 +401,7 @@ def _assert_push_and_pull(self, remote, rw_repo, remote_repo):
         remote.push(":%s" % other_tag.path)
 
     @skipIf(HIDE_WINDOWS_FREEZE_ERRORS, "FIXME: Freezes!")
+    @skipIf(IS_DIST_XENIAL, "Test fails when dist is Xenial.  #827")
     @with_rw_and_rw_remote_repo('0.1.6')
     def test_base(self, rw_repo, remote_repo):
         num_remotes = 0