diff --git a/platformio/builder/tools/pioide.py b/platformio/builder/tools/pioide.py
index 16b5c229..de7e0cc8 100644
--- a/platformio/builder/tools/pioide.py
+++ b/platformio/builder/tools/pioide.py
@@ -59,10 +59,15 @@ def _dump_includes(env):
         for g in toolchain_incglobs:
             includes["toolchain"].extend([os.path.realpath(inc) for inc in glob(g)])
 
+    # include Unity framework if there are tests in project
     includes["unity"] = []
+    auto_install_unity = False
+    test_dir = env.GetProjectConfig().get_optional_dir("test")
+    if os.path.isdir(test_dir) and os.listdir(test_dir) != ["README"]:
+        auto_install_unity = True
     unity_dir = get_core_package_dir(
         "tool-unity",
-        auto_install=os.path.isdir(env.GetProjectConfig().get_optional_dir("test")),
+        auto_install=auto_install_unity,
     )
     if unity_dir:
         includes["unity"].append(unity_dir)