diff --git a/e2e/features/molecular/test_genes.py b/e2e/features/molecular/test_genes.py
index f028c1d0..17274abe 100644
--- a/e2e/features/molecular/test_genes.py
+++ b/e2e/features/molecular/test_genes.py
@@ -1,6 +1,27 @@
 import pytest
-import siibra
 from typing import Union, List
+from json import JSONDecodeError
+from functools import wraps
+import siibra
+
+
+def skip_if_allen_api_unavailable(test_func):
+    @wraps(test_func)
+    def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+        try:
+            return test_func(*args, **kwargs)
+        except JSONDecodeError:
+            pytest.skip(
+                f"Skipping test {test_func.__name__} due to JSONDecodeError since Allen API sent a malformed JSON"
+            )
+        except RuntimeError as e:
+            if str(e) == "Allen institute site unavailable - please try again later.":
+                pytest.skip("Skipping since Allen Institute API is unavailable.")
+            else:
+                raise e
+
+    return wrapper
+
 
 test_params = [
     ("julich 2.9", "hoc1 left", "MAOA"),
@@ -13,6 +34,7 @@
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("parc_spec, region_spec, gene", test_params)
+@skip_if_allen_api_unavailable
 def test_genes(parc_spec: str, region_spec: str, gene: Union[str, List[str]]):
     parc = siibra.parcellations[parc_spec]
     region = parc.get_region(region_spec)
@@ -23,6 +45,7 @@ def test_genes(parc_spec: str, region_spec: str, gene: Union[str, List[str]]):
     ), "expecting all features to be of type GeneExpression"
 
 
+@skip_if_allen_api_unavailable
 def test_gene_exp_w_parent_structures():
     kwargs = {"gene": "MAOA"}
     features_grandparent_struct = siibra.features.get(