diff --git a/test/plugin.jelly b/test/plugin.jelly
index ad15a069..ba509b84 100644
--- a/test/plugin.jelly
+++ b/test/plugin.jelly
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
         description="Test the application"
         prereqs="test:compile">
       
-    <j:if test="${unitTestSourcesPresent == 'true'}">
+    <j:if test="${unitTestSourcesPresent == 'true' and context.getVariable('maven.test.skip') != 'true'}">
       
       <taskdef
         name="junit"
diff --git a/test/plugin.properties b/test/plugin.properties
index 946c8bd9..a06e7145 100644
--- a/test/plugin.properties
+++ b/test/plugin.properties
@@ -9,3 +9,4 @@ maven.junit.dir = ${basedir}
 maven.junit.usefile = true
 maven.test.dest = ${maven.build.dir}/test-classes
 maven.test.reportsDirectory = ${maven.build.dir}/test-reports
+maven.test.skip = false
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/xdocs/properties.xml b/test/xdocs/properties.xml
index 05540fba..2d27dae0 100644
--- a/test/xdocs/properties.xml
+++ b/test/xdocs/properties.xml
@@ -47,6 +47,14 @@
             <code>${maven.build.dir}/test-classes</code>.
           </td>
         </tr>
+        <tr>
+          <td>maven.test.skip</td>
+          <td>Yes</td>
+          <td>
+            Set this to 'true' to bypass unit tests entirely.  Its use
+            is NOT RECOMMENDED, but quite convenient on occasion.
+          </td>
+        </tr>
         <tr>
           <td>maven.test.source</td>
           <td>Yes</td>