diff --git a/tests/python_tests/grayscale_test.py b/tests/python_tests/grayscale_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..737afd855
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/grayscale_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+import mapnik
+from nose.tools import *
+
+def test_grayscale_conversion():
+    im = mapnik.Image(2,2)
+    im.background = mapnik.Color('white')
+    im.set_grayscale_to_alpha()
+    pixel = im.get_pixel(0,0)
+    eq_((pixel >> 24) & 0xff,255);
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]