diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 6eb8c8a6..d3aacdb3 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -303,7 +303,13 @@ IF(LIBTINS_BUILD_TESTS)
         ENABLE_TESTING()
         ADD_SUBDIRECTORY(tests)
     ELSE()
-        MESSAGE(STATUS "googletest git submodule is absent. Run `git submodule init && git submodule update` to get it")
+        FIND_PACKAGE(GTest QUIET)
+        IF(${GTest_FOUND})
+            ENABLE_TESTING()
+            ADD_SUBDIRECTORY(tests)
+        ELSE()
+            MESSAGE(STATUS "googletest git submodule is absent. Run `git submodule init && git submodule update` to get it")
+        ENDIF()
     ENDIF()
 ENDIF()