diff --git a/testrunner.cc b/testrunner.cc
index 325d1af..35295a9 100644
--- a/testrunner.cc
+++ b/testrunner.cc
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
 // based on pam_google_testrunner.cc
 
+#include <xz.h>
+
 #include <base/at_exit.h>
 #include <base/command_line.h>
 #include <chromeos/test_helpers.h>
@@ -26,6 +28,8 @@
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   LOG(INFO) << "started";
   base::AtExitManager exit_manager;
+  // xz-embedded requires to initialize its CRC-32 table once on startup.
+  xz_crc32_init();
   // TODO(garnold) temporarily cause the unittest binary to exit with status
   // code 2 upon catching a SIGTERM. This will help diagnose why the unittest
   // binary is perceived as failing by the buildbot.  We should revert it to use