1 files changed, 19 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index 693a0c8f..a2432256 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -16,6 +16,25 @@ import os
 import pytest
 
 
+def select_backends(names, backend_list):
+    if names is None:
+        return backend_list
+    split_names = [x.strip() for x in names.split(',')]
+    # this must be duplicated and then removed to preserve the metadata
+    # pytest associates. Appending backends to a new list doesn't seem to work
+    selected_backends = []
+    for backend in backend_list:
+        if backend.name in split_names:
+            selected_backends.append(backend)
+
+    if len(selected_backends) > 0:
+        return selected_backends
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "No backend selected. Tried to select: {0}".format(split_names)
+        )
+
+
 def check_for_iface(name, iface, item):
     if name in item.keywords and "backend" in item.funcargs:
         if not isinstance(item.funcargs["backend"], iface):