diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index 1fffcdff..00daa54a 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ project(
   VERSION ${TRACY_VERSION_STRING})
 
 file(GENERATE OUTPUT .gitignore CONTENT "*")
+set(CMAKE_COLOR_DIAGNOSTICS ON)
 
 # a bit weird but works: include the client cmake config coming from top-level
 # cmake needs us to specify the build subfolder -> client/ this way we can