diff --git a/cue-test.py b/cue-test.py
index 6262ea6..4f82c33 100644
--- a/cue-test.py
+++ b/cue-test.py
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ import cue
 # we're working with tags (detached heads) a lot: suppress advice
 cue.call_git(['config', '--global', 'advice.detachedHead', 'false'])
 
+# Don't build dependencies when running unit tests
+cue.skip_dep_builds = True
 
 class TestSourceSet(unittest.TestCase):
 
diff --git a/cue.py b/cue.py
index 4b847c2..203cf37 100644
--- a/cue.py
+++ b/cue.py
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ is_base314 = False
 is_make3 = False
 has_test_results = False
 silent_dep_builds = True
+skip_dep_builds = False
 do_recompile = False
 installed_7z = False
 
@@ -207,6 +208,7 @@ clear_lists()
 
 if 'BASE' in os.environ and os.environ['BASE'] == 'SELF':
     building_base = True
+    skip_dep_builds = True
     places['EPICS_BASE'] = curdir
 
 # Setup ANSI Colors
@@ -1245,7 +1247,7 @@ PERL = C:/Strawberry/perl/bin/perl -CSD'''
     if logging.getLogger().isEnabledFor(logging.DEBUG):
         log_modified()
 
-    if not building_base:
+    if not skip_dep_builds:
         fold_start('build.dependencies', 'Build missing/outdated dependencies')
         for mod in modules_to_compile:
             place = places[setup[mod + "_VARNAME"]]