diff --git a/swh/loader/pytest_plugin.py b/swh/loader/pytest_plugin.py
--- a/swh/loader/pytest_plugin.py
+++ b/swh/loader/pytest_plugin.py
@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@
 from typing import Any, Dict
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def swh_storage_backend_config(postgresql_proc, swh_storage_postgresql):
+    """Override storage configuration to not specify the journal part (and prevents the
+    optional journal dependency)
+
+    """
+    yield {
+        "cls": "local",
+        "db": "postgresql://{user}@{host}:{port}/{dbname}".format(
+            host=postgresql_proc.host,
+            port=postgresql_proc.port,
+            user="postgres",
+            dbname="tests",
+        ),
+        "objstorage": {"cls": "memory", "args": {}},
+    }
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def swh_loader_config(swh_storage_postgresql) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     return {