diff --git a/modules/CMakeLists.txt b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
index ff1dddbd5..4a5a699ab 100644
--- a/modules/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ if(MSVC OR MINGW)
    endif()
 endif()
 
+if(BUILD_TESTS)
 add_subdirectory(ts)
+endif()
 add_subdirectory(highgui)
 add_subdirectory(imgproc)
 add_subdirectory(legacy)