diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index f298d15..305601f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -42,4 +42,6 @@ else
   install_subdir('blueprintcompiler', install_dir: py.get_install_dir())
 endif
 
-subdir('tests')
+if get_option('tests')
+  subdir('tests')
+endif
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index c3c5661..5154d24 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 option('docs', type: 'boolean', value: false)
+option('tests', type: 'boolean', value: true)