diff --git a/appveyor.yml b/appveyor.yml
index 8767b17ae..3f28aea3c 100644
--- a/appveyor.yml
+++ b/appveyor.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ image: Visual Studio 2017
 build:
   verbosity: minimal
 
+branches:
+  except:
+    *nist*
+
 configuration:
   - Release
 
@@ -18,4 +22,4 @@ test_script:
 
     %APPVEYOR_BUILD_FOLDER%\VisualStudio\x64\%CONFIGURATION%\minimal_kex_oqs.exe
 
-    %APPVEYOR_BUILD_FOLDER%\VisualStudio\x64\%CONFIGURATION%\minimal_sig_oqs.exe
\ No newline at end of file
+    %APPVEYOR_BUILD_FOLDER%\VisualStudio\x64\%CONFIGURATION%\minimal_sig_oqs.exe