diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/bricks/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/bricks/package.py
index d20d9f170fd..be5023304e5 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/bricks/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/bricks/package.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
 
+import os
+
 from spack.package import *
 
 
@@ -71,25 +73,17 @@ def copy_test_sources(self):
         ]
         self.cache_extra_test_sources(srcs)
 
-    def test(self):
-        """Test bricklib package"""
-        # Test prebuilt binary
+    def test_bricklib_example(self):
+        """build and run pre-built example"""
         source_dir = join_path(self.test_suite.current_test_cache_dir, "examples", "external")
+        if not os.path.exists(source_dir):
+            raise SkipTest("{0} is missing".format(source_dir))
 
-        self.run_test(
-            exe="cmake", options=["."], purpose="Configure bricklib example", work_dir=source_dir
-        )
+        with working_dir(source_dir):
+            cmake = which(self.spec["cmake"].prefix.bin.cmake)
+            cmake(".")
 
-        self.run_test(
-            exe="cmake",
-            options=["--build", "."],
-            purpose="Build bricklib example",
-            work_dir=source_dir,
-        )
+            cmake("--build", ".")
 
-        self.run_test(
-            exe=join_path(source_dir, "example"),
-            options=[],
-            purpose="Execute bricklib example",
-            work_dir=source_dir,
-        )
+            example = which("example")
+            example()