diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 24011ec312bb006d54c5048272fbef74d7cbe2eb..31abe0692852b0fd42003641ab9ec8379cd8bbef 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
     });
 
     const run_exe_unit_tests = b.addRunArtifact(exe_unit_tests);
+    run_exe_unit_tests.has_side_effects = true;
 
     const test_step = b.step("test", "dummy test step to pass CI checks");
     test_step.dependOn(&run_exe_unit_tests.step);