diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index a2b6d354e..cd7665d77 100755
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ AC_ARG_ENABLE([upnp-default],
 AC_ARG_ENABLE(tests,
     AS_HELP_STRING([--disable-tests],[do not compile tests (default is to compile)]),
     [use_tests=$enableval],
-    [use_tests=no])
+    [use_tests=yes])
 
 AC_ARG_ENABLE(gui-tests,
     AS_HELP_STRING([--disable-gui-tests],[do not compile GUI tests (default is to compile if GUI and tests enabled)]),