diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 20073cf..1598963 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -82,5 +82,7 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
     const test_step = b.step("test", "Run tests");
     test_step.dependOn(&run_tests.step);
 
-    b.installArtifact(tests);
+    if (b.option(bool, "install_tests", "Install the tests executable to the output directory") orelse false) {
+        b.installArtifact(tests);
+    }
 }