diff --git a/src/_pytest/outcomes.py b/src/_pytest/outcomes.py
index 714be3088..cdda8630e 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/outcomes.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/outcomes.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def xfail(reason=""):
 xfail.Exception = XFailed
 
 
-def importorskip(modname, minversion=None):
+def importorskip(modname, minversion=None, reason=None):
     """ return imported module if it has at least "minversion" as its
     __version__ attribute.  If no minversion is specified the a skip
     is only triggered if the module can not be imported.
@@ -159,7 +159,9 @@ def importorskip(modname, minversion=None):
             # Do not raise chained exception here(#1485)
             should_skip = True
     if should_skip:
-        raise Skipped("could not import %r" % (modname,), allow_module_level=True)
+        if reason is None:
+            reason = "could not import %r" % (modname,)
+        raise Skipped(reason, allow_module_level=True)
     mod = sys.modules[modname]
     if minversion is None:
         return mod