diff --git a/test/notmuch-test b/test/notmuch-test
index 72f1eecc..adc657d2 100755
--- a/test/notmuch-test
+++ b/test/notmuch-test
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ TESTS="
   emacs-large-search-buffer
   maildir-sync
 "
+TESTS=${NOTMUCH_TESTS:=$TESTS}
 
 # Clean up any results from a previous run
 rm -r test-results >/dev/null 2>/dev/null