diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 3712a82d..5f87ade6 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -109,4 +109,7 @@ subdir('lib')
 subdir('docs')
 subdir('modules')
 subdir('src')
-subdir('tests')
+
+if get_option('tests')
+  subdir('tests')
+endif
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index a7a0a89a..4008864e 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -24,3 +24,5 @@ option('systemd-user-unit-dir',
        description : 'Directory for user systemd units')
 option('glib-supp', type : 'string', value : '',
        description: 'The glib.supp valgrind suppressions file to be used when running valgrind')
+option('tests', type : 'boolean', value : 'true',
+       description : 'Build the test suite')