diff --git a/swh/search/journal_client.py b/swh/search/journal_client.py
--- a/swh/search/journal_client.py
+++ b/swh/search/journal_client.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 # See top-level LICENSE file for more information
 
 import logging
+import sys
 from typing import Dict, Optional
 
 from swh.model.model import TargetType
@@ -20,6 +21,12 @@
 def fetch_last_revision_release_date(
     snapshot_id: bytes, storage: StorageInterface
 ) -> Dict[str, str]:
+    if "pytest" not in sys.modules:
+        # FIXME: This function is too slow to be reasonably used in the journal-client
+        # (at least the main one), we need to figure out a solution before this can
+        # be enabled again.
+        return {}
+
     if not snapshot_id:
         return {}