diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 45a5938a56371a8e717c3844e48dde1db55b0ffc..eee19e27982cb1844586594451481b14d9b46c49 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
 endif()
 message("    CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE: ${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}")
 
+# GoogleTest: `gtest_discover_tests` discovers tests by asking the _compiled test executable_
+# to enumerate its tests. `PRE_TEST` delays test discovery until just prior to test execution;
+# this avoids calling the executables during the build phase.
+set(CMAKE_GTEST_DISCOVER_TESTS_DISCOVERY_MODE PRE_TEST)
+
 include(CTest) # equivalent to "enable_testing() ???
 add_custom_target(check COMMAND ${CMAKE_CTEST_COMMAND} -LE Fullcheck)
    # => 'make check' is an alias for 'ctest'