diff --git a/python/sdist/amici/setup.template.py b/python/sdist/amici/setup.template.py
index 411d398aec..14edbfd2d4 100644
--- a/python/sdist/amici/setup.template.py
+++ b/python/sdist/amici/setup.template.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def get_extension() -> CMakeExtension:
     debug_build = os.getenv("ENABLE_AMICI_DEBUGGING", "").lower() in [
         "1",
         "true",
-    ]
+    ] or os.getenv("ENABLE_GCOV_COVERAGE", "").lower() in ["1", "true"]
 
     return CMakeExtension(
         name="model_ext",
diff --git a/python/sdist/setup.py b/python/sdist/setup.py
index 5c121da9cc..9dd268953a 100755
--- a/python/sdist/setup.py
+++ b/python/sdist/setup.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def get_extensions():
     debug_build = os.getenv("ENABLE_AMICI_DEBUGGING", "").lower() in [
         "1",
         "true",
-    ]
+    ] or os.getenv("ENABLE_GCOV_COVERAGE", "").lower() in ["1", "true"]
     amici_ext = CMakeExtension(
         name="amici",
         install_prefix="amici",