diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/zathura/core/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/zathura/core/default.nix
index 3bc43449984..a2d59011dc1 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/zathura/core/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/zathura/core/default.nix
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "-Dmanpages=enabled"
     "-Dconvert-icon=enabled"
     "-Dsynctex=enabled"
+    # Make sure tests are enabled for doCheck
+    "-Dtests=enabled"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [