diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
index 4d8416f1d0..2769245d2b 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest.api.compute.floating_ips import base
 from tempest import config
 from tempest.lib.common.utils import test_utils
@@ -86,6 +88,8 @@ class FloatingIPsTestJSON(base.BaseFloatingIPsTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('307efa27-dc6f-48a0-8cd2-162ce3ef0b52')
     @test.services('network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_associate_disassociate_floating_ip(self):
         # Positive test:Associate and disassociate the provided floating IP
         # to a specific server should be successful
@@ -107,6 +111,8 @@ class FloatingIPsTestJSON(base.BaseFloatingIPsTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('6edef4b2-aaf1-4abc-bbe3-993e2561e0fe')
     @test.services('network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_associate_already_associated_floating_ip(self):
         # positive test:Association of an already associated floating IP
         # to specific server should change the association of the Floating IP
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_rescue.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_rescue.py
index 5db7f4f54d..f74a5a4b12 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_rescue.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_rescue.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
 from tempest.common import waiters
@@ -85,6 +87,8 @@ class ServerRescueTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
                                        'ACTIVE')
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('4842e0cf-e87d-4d9d-b61f-f4791da3cacc')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_rescued_vm_associate_dissociate_floating_ip(self):
         # Rescue the server
         self.servers_client.rescue_server(
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/admin/test_external_networks_negative.py b/tempest/api/network/admin/test_external_networks_negative.py
index 743089ac50..770d91fa0a 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/admin/test_external_networks_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/admin/test_external_networks_negative.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
+import testtools
 
 from tempest.api.network import base
 from tempest import config
@@ -27,6 +28,8 @@ class ExternalNetworksAdminNegativeTestJSON(base.BaseAdminNetworkTest):
 
     @test.attr(type=['negative'])
     @decorators.idempotent_id('d402ae6c-0be0-4d8e-833b-a738895d98d0')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_create_port_with_precreated_floatingip_as_fixed_ip(self):
         # NOTE: External networks can be used to create both floating-ip as
         # well as instance-ip. So, creating an instance-ip with a value of a
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/admin/test_floating_ips_admin_actions.py b/tempest/api/network/admin/test_floating_ips_admin_actions.py
index c36323a6df..83286b03a9 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/admin/test_floating_ips_admin_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/admin/test_floating_ips_admin_actions.py
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class FloatingIPAdminTestJSON(base.BaseAdminNetworkTest):
         if not test.is_extension_enabled('router', 'network'):
             msg = "router extension not enabled."
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        if not CONF.network.public_network_id:
+            msg = "The public_network_id option must be specified."
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
 
     @classmethod
     def setup_clients(cls):
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
index 23614d6efa..1dc574b27e 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ class FloatingIPTestJSON(base.BaseNetworkTest):
         if not test.is_extension_enabled('router', 'network'):
             msg = "router extension not enabled."
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        if not CONF.network.public_network_id:
+            msg = "The public_network_id option must be specified."
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
 
     @classmethod
     def resource_setup(cls):
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips_negative.py b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips_negative.py
index 9ccda05f16..fc402cdf27 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips_negative.py
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ class FloatingIPNegativeTestJSON(base.BaseNetworkTest):
         if not test.is_extension_enabled('router', 'network'):
             msg = "router extension not enabled."
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        if not CONF.network.public_network_id:
+            msg = "The public_network_id option must be specified."
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
 
     @classmethod
     def resource_setup(cls):
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py b/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
index 524ab9e56c..694b86b3ff 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 import netaddr
+import testtools
 
 from tempest.api.network import base_routers as base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
@@ -42,6 +43,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @test.attr(type='smoke')
     @decorators.idempotent_id('f64403e2-8483-4b34-8ccd-b09a87bcc68c')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_create_show_list_update_delete_router(self):
         # Create a router
         router = self._create_router(
@@ -89,6 +92,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('847257cc-6afd-4154-b8fb-af49f5670ce8')
     @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_create_router_with_default_snat_value(self):
         # Create a router with default snat rule
         router = self._create_router(
@@ -99,6 +104,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('ea74068d-09e9-4fd7-8995-9b6a1ace920f')
     @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_create_router_with_snat_explicit(self):
         name = data_utils.rand_name('snat-router')
         # Create a router enabling snat attributes
@@ -184,6 +191,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
             self.assertIn(subnet_id, public_subnet_ids)
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('6cc285d8-46bf-4f36-9b1a-783e3008ba79')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_update_router_set_gateway(self):
         router = self._create_router()
         self.routers_client.update_router(
@@ -198,6 +207,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('b386c111-3b21-466d-880c-5e72b01e1a33')
     @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_update_router_set_gateway_with_snat_explicit(self):
         router = self._create_router()
         self.admin_routers_client.update_router(
@@ -213,6 +224,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('96536bc7-8262-4fb2-9967-5c46940fa279')
     @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_update_router_set_gateway_without_snat(self):
         router = self._create_router()
         self.admin_routers_client.update_router(
@@ -227,6 +240,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
         self._verify_gateway_port(router['id'])
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('ad81b7ee-4f81-407b-a19c-17e623f763e8')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_update_router_unset_gateway(self):
         router = self._create_router(
             external_network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id)
@@ -241,6 +256,8 @@ class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('f2faf994-97f4-410b-a831-9bc977b64374')
     @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     def test_update_router_reset_gateway_without_snat(self):
         router = self._create_router(
             external_network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id)
diff --git a/tempest/common/dynamic_creds.py b/tempest/common/dynamic_creds.py
index 632a87687c..88fe26c3cc 100644
--- a/tempest/common/dynamic_creds.py
+++ b/tempest/common/dynamic_creds.py
@@ -293,12 +293,12 @@ class DynamicCredentialProvider(cred_provider.CredentialProvider):
         return resp_body['subnet']
 
     def _create_router(self, router_name, tenant_id):
-        external_net_id = dict(
-            network_id=self.public_network_id)
-        resp_body = self.routers_admin_client.create_router(
-            name=router_name,
-            external_gateway_info=external_net_id,
-            tenant_id=tenant_id)
+        kwargs = {'name': router_name,
+                  'tenant_id': tenant_id}
+        if self.public_network_id:
+            kwargs['external_gateway_info'] = dict(
+                network_id=self.public_network_id)
+        resp_body = self.routers_admin_client.create_router(**kwargs)
         return resp_body['router']
 
     def _add_router_interface(self, router_id, subnet_id):
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_minimum_basic.py b/tempest/scenario/test_minimum_basic.py
index 738ed616fc..27c45cb0bd 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_minimum_basic.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_minimum_basic.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest.common import custom_matchers
 from tempest.common import waiters
 from tempest import config
@@ -99,6 +101,8 @@ class TestMinimumBasicScenario(manager.ScenarioTest):
                     return address
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('bdbb5441-9204-419d-a225-b4fdbfb1a1a8')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'volume', 'image', 'network')
     def test_minimum_basic_scenario(self):
         image = self.glance_image_create()
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_shelve_instance.py b/tempest/scenario/test_shelve_instance.py
index d88a6394ed..75cef88a59 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_shelve_instance.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_shelve_instance.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest.common import compute
 from tempest.common import waiters
 from tempest import config
@@ -73,11 +75,15 @@ class TestShelveInstance(manager.ScenarioTest):
         self.assertEqual(timestamp, timestamp2)
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('1164e700-0af0-4a4c-8792-35909a88743c')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'network', 'image')
     def test_shelve_instance(self):
         self._create_server_then_shelve_and_unshelve()
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('c1b6318c-b9da-490b-9c67-9339b627271f')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'volume', 'network', 'image')
     def test_shelve_volume_backed_instance(self):
         self._create_server_then_shelve_and_unshelve(boot_from_volume=True)
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py b/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
index 2ce8532328..6dedd1d40b 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest import config
 from tempest.lib import decorators
 from tempest.scenario import manager
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@ class TestSnapshotPattern(manager.ScenarioTest):
             raise cls.skipException("Snapshotting is not available.")
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('608e604b-1d63-4a82-8e3e-91bc665c90b4')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'network', 'image')
     def test_snapshot_pattern(self):
         # prepare for booting an instance
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py b/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
index f00270d24c..8661217132 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
@@ -91,6 +91,8 @@ class TestStampPattern(manager.ScenarioTest):
     @decorators.idempotent_id('10fd234a-515c-41e5-b092-8323060598c5')
     @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
                           'Snapshotting is not available.')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'network', 'volume', 'image')
     def test_stamp_pattern(self):
         # prepare for booting an instance
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_volume_boot_pattern.py b/tempest/scenario/test_volume_boot_pattern.py
index 5254082f56..43dcf9668b 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_volume_boot_pattern.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_volume_boot_pattern.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from oslo_log import log as logging
+import testtools
 
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
 from tempest.common import waiters
@@ -98,6 +99,8 @@ class TestVolumeBootPattern(manager.ScenarioTest):
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('557cd2c2-4eb8-4dce-98be-f86765ff311b')
     @test.attr(type='smoke')
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.network.public_network_id,
+                          'The public_network_id option must be specified.')
     @test.services('compute', 'volume', 'image')
     def test_volume_boot_pattern(self):