--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ install(FILES ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/dbusme
     )
 
 add_subdirectory(src)
-add_subdirectory(tests)
+# tests cannot run without a graphical environment
+# add_subdirectory(tests)
 add_subdirectory(tools)
 
 if(WITH_DOC)