diff --git a/test/e2e_node/topology_manager_test.go b/test/e2e_node/topology_manager_test.go
index 913fa8501f9..7784258845b 100644
--- a/test/e2e_node/topology_manager_test.go
+++ b/test/e2e_node/topology_manager_test.go
@@ -340,6 +340,13 @@ func runTopologyManagerPolicySuiteTests(f *framework.Framework) {
 	var cpuCap, cpuAlloc int64
 
 	cpuCap, cpuAlloc, _ = getLocalNodeCPUDetails(f)
+	ginkgo.By(fmt.Sprintf("checking node CPU capacity (%d) and allocatable CPUs (%d)", cpuCap, cpuAlloc))
+
+	// Albeit even the weakest CI machines usually have 2 cpus, let's be extra careful and
+	// check explicitly. We prefer to skip than a false negative (and a failed test).
+	if cpuAlloc < 1 {
+		e2eskipper.Skipf("Skipping basic CPU Manager tests since CPU capacity < 2")
+	}
 
 	ginkgo.By("running a non-Gu pod")
 	runNonGuPodTest(f, cpuCap)
@@ -347,14 +354,14 @@ func runTopologyManagerPolicySuiteTests(f *framework.Framework) {
 	ginkgo.By("running a Gu pod")
 	runGuPodTest(f, 1)
 
-	ginkgo.By("running multiple Gu and non-Gu pods")
-	runMultipleGuNonGuPods(f, cpuCap, cpuAlloc)
-
-	// Skip rest of the tests if CPU capacity < 3.
-	if cpuCap < 3 {
+	// Skip rest of the tests if CPU allocatable < 3.
+	if cpuAlloc < 3 {
 		e2eskipper.Skipf("Skipping rest of the CPU Manager tests since CPU capacity < 3")
 	}
 
+	ginkgo.By("running multiple Gu and non-Gu pods")
+	runMultipleGuNonGuPods(f, cpuCap, cpuAlloc)
+
 	ginkgo.By("running a Gu pod requesting multiple CPUs")
 	runMultipleCPUGuPod(f)