diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index b90328ec2f..654f1f0d3c 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ esac
 
 AC_ARG_WITH([tests],
    [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-tests=none|regular|coverage],[choose testing method: regular, coverage or none.
-                    @<:@default=none@:>@])],
+                    @<:@default=auto@:>@])],
    [build_tests=${withval}],
    [build_tests=auto])