diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 9737456..55a7143 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.14)
 set(PORTS_OF_CALL_VERSION 1.6.0)
 project(ports-of-call VERSION ${PORTS_OF_CALL_VERSION})
 
+# dependent options
+include(CMakeDependentOption)
+
 # CMAKE WARMUP
 # ----------------------------------------
 
@@ -32,6 +35,10 @@ if(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR} STREQUAL ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR})
 endif()
 
 option (PORTS_OF_CALL_BUILD_TESTING "Test the current installation")
+# off by default but possible to turn on
+cmake_dependent_option(PORTS_OF_CALL_TEST_USE_KOKKOS
+  "Use Kokkos offloading for tests"
+  OFF "PORTS_OF_CALL_BUILD_TESTING" OFF)
 
 # CONFIGURATION LOGIC
 # ----------------------------------------
diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index e59af45..360b62d 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ endif()
 # this interface target is to collect
 # compile/link options for the test
 add_library(portsofcall_iface INTERFACE)
-if (PORTABILITY_STRATEGY_KOKKOS)
+if (PORTS_OF_CALL_TEST_USE_KOKKOS)
   if(NOT TARGET Kokkos::kokkos)
     find_package(Kokkos REQUIRED)
   endif()