diff --git a/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index ebd3fff1c..34b22a57a 100644
--- a/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ project(pybind11_tests CXX)
 list(APPEND CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/../tools")
 
 option(PYBIND11_WERROR "Report all warnings as errors" OFF)
+option(DOWNLOAD_CATCH "Download catch2 if not found" OFF)
 option(DOWNLOAD_EIGEN "Download EIGEN" OFF)
 option(PYBIND11_CUDA_TESTS "Enable building CUDA tests" OFF)
 option(PYBIND11_TEST_SMART_HOLDER "Change the default to smart holder" OFF)
diff --git a/tools/FindCatch.cmake b/tools/FindCatch.cmake
index 5d3fcbfb1..967434cb7 100644
--- a/tools/FindCatch.cmake
+++ b/tools/FindCatch.cmake
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 #  CATCH_INCLUDE_DIR      - path to catch.hpp
 #  CATCH_VERSION          - version number
 
-option(DOWNLOAD_CATCH "Download catch2 if not found")
-
 if(NOT Catch_FIND_VERSION)
   message(FATAL_ERROR "A version number must be specified.")
 elseif(Catch_FIND_REQUIRED)