diff --git a/vol_test_util.c b/vol_test_util.c
index 106d158..874a820 100644
--- a/vol_test_util.c
+++ b/vol_test_util.c
@@ -166,6 +166,12 @@ generate_random_datatype(H5T_class_t parent_class, hbool_t is_compact)
 
             gen_func = generate_random_datatype_array;
             break;
+#if H5_VERSION_GE(2, 0, 0)
+        case H5T_COMPLEX:
+            /* Complex number datatypes are unsupported, try again */
+            goto roll_datatype;
+            break;
+#endif
         default:
             HDprintf("    invalid datatype class\n");
             goto done;