diff --git a/download_and_compile.sh b/download_and_compile.sh
index 51d369f..04a00f1 100755
--- a/download_and_compile.sh
+++ b/download_and_compile.sh
@@ -617,6 +617,10 @@ if [[ "$DOWNLOAD_PACKAGES" = "y" ]]; then
   # FG
   PKG+=(libopenal-dev libudev-dev libdbus-1-dev libplib-dev)
   _mandatory_pkg_alternative libpng-dev libpng12-dev libpng16-dev
+  # CppUnit is shipped with the FG sources, but if installed via the distro
+  # package manager, 1) the FG build will be quicker and 2) libcppunit-dev
+  # will be updated like other distro packages (e.g., security updates).
+  _optional_pkg_alternative libcppunit-dev
   # The following packages are needed for the built-in launcher
   _optional_pkg_alternative qt5-default
   _optional_pkg_alternative qtdeclarative5-dev