diff --git a/tests/fixtures/config/data-return/git/common-config/zuul.yaml b/tests/fixtures/config/data-return/git/common-config/zuul.yaml
index f8cc624073..608cc835b9 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/config/data-return/git/common-config/zuul.yaml
+++ b/tests/fixtures/config/data-return/git/common-config/zuul.yaml
@@ -37,9 +37,17 @@
     success-url: docs/index.html
     run: playbooks/data-return-relative.yaml
 
+# This child job will be skipped in the test case test_data_return_child_jobs.
+# In order to verify that this doesn't lead to node leaks attach a nodeset to
+# it. Each test case automatically verifies that there are no open node
+# requests and no locked nodes left behind.
 - job:
     name: child
     run: playbooks/child.yaml
+    nodeset:
+      nodes:
+        - name: node
+          label: test
 
 - job:
     name: several-zuul-return-parent
diff --git a/zuul/model.py b/zuul/model.py
index 85b5a5444f..d14173b23b 100644
--- a/zuul/model.py
+++ b/zuul/model.py
@@ -2178,6 +2178,8 @@ class QueueItem(object):
             build = build_set.getBuild(job.name)
             if build and (build.result == 'SUCCESS' or build.paused):
                 successful_job_names.add(job.name)
+            elif build and build.result == 'SKIPPED':
+                pass
             else:
                 nodeset = build_set.getJobNodeSet(job.name)
                 if nodeset is None: