diff --git a/tests/runtest.sh b/tests/runtest.sh
index d87843f..b6eaa7c 100644
--- a/tests/runtest.sh
+++ b/tests/runtest.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+# set the $AUTOMATED environment variable to non-zero for automated mode
+# automated mode will run all the tests to completion
+# non-automated mode (default) stops running the test suite on the first error
+AUTOMATED=${AUTOMATED:-0}
+
 TESTS=$*
 
 PARENTTEST=${TEST}
@@ -14,7 +19,11 @@
     export TEST=$i
     pushd $i >/dev/null
     echo "### RUNNING TEST $i"
-    bash ./runtest.sh || exit 1
+    if [[ $AUTOMATED != 0 ]] ; then
+        bash ./runtest.sh
+    else
+        bash ./runtest.sh || exit 1
+    fi
     popd >/dev/null
 done