diff --git a/tests/test-runner.c b/tests/test-runner.c
index 82a0a7b..8c7e90d 100644
--- a/tests/test-runner.c
+++ b/tests/test-runner.c
@@ -287,6 +287,9 @@ is_debugger_attached(void)
 	pid_t pid;
 	int pipefd[2];
 
+	if (getenv("WAYLAND_TEST_IGNORE_DEBUGGER"))
+		return 0;
+
 	if (pipe(pipefd) == -1) {
 		perror("pipe");
 		return 0;