diff --git a/test/test_helper.rb b/test/test_helper.rb
index bdc5f5d3..32dc05e1 100644
--- a/test/test_helper.rb
+++ b/test/test_helper.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@ require 'test/unit'
 require 'test/unit/assertions'
 require 'caller'
 require 'breakpoint'
-require 'ruby-debug'
+begin
+  require 'ruby-debug'
+rescue LoadError
+  puts "Couldn't load ruby-debug. gem install ruby-debug if you need it."
+end
 require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), '..', 'lib', 'liquid')