diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@
     ki18n_install(po)
 endif()
 add_subdirectory(src)
-add_subdirectory(autotests)
+if (BUILD_TESTING)
+    add_subdirectory(autotests)
+endif()
 
 # create a Config.cmake and a ConfigVersion.cmake file and install them
 set(CMAKECONFIG_INSTALL_DIR "${KDE_INSTALL_CMAKEPACKAGEDIR}/KF5I18n")