diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index ecc85160..4d34c917 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ option(SPDLOG_BUILD_EXAMPLE "Build example" ${SPDLOG_MASTER_PROJECT})
 option(SPDLOG_BUILD_EXAMPLE_HO "Build header only example" OFF)
 
 # testing options
-option(SPDLOG_BUILD_TESTS "Build tests" OFF)
+option(SPDLOG_BUILD_TESTS "Build tests" ${SPDLOG_MASTER_PROJECT})
 option(SPDLOG_BUILD_TESTS_HO "Build tests using the header only version" OFF)
 
 # bench options