diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yaml b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
index bd1aedac0..6ced5c9ed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Configure app
         run: |
           cd scripts
-          echo "yes" | ./build_app.sh -v "0.0.1" -b "1" -p "linux" -a "stack_wallet"
+          echo "yes" | ./build_app.sh -v "0.0.1" -b "1" -p "linux" -a "stack_wallet" -s
 
       - name: Get dependencies
         run: flutter pub get
diff --git a/scripts/build_app.sh b/scripts/build_app.sh
index 30bbc8215..36721003c 100755
--- a/scripts/build_app.sh
+++ b/scripts/build_app.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ APP_NAMED_IDS=("stack_wallet" "stack_duo" "campfire")
 
 # Function to display usage.
 usage() {
-    echo "Usage: $0 -v <version> -b <build_number> -p <platform> -a <app> [-i] [-f]"
+    echo "Usage: $0 -v <version> -b <build_number> -p <platform> -a <app> [-i] [-f] [-s]"
     exit 1
 }
 
@@ -34,9 +34,10 @@ unset -v APP_NAMED_ID
 # optional args (with defaults)
 BUILD_CRYPTO_PLUGINS=0
 BUILD_ISAR_FROM_SOURCE=0
+USE_SYSTEM_SECURE_STORAGE_DEPS=0
 
 # Parse command-line arguments.
-while getopts "v:b:p:a:i:f" opt; do
+while getopts "v:b:p:a:i:fs" opt; do
     case "${opt}" in
         v) APP_VERSION_STRING="$OPTARG" ;;
         b) APP_BUILD_NUMBER="$OPTARG" ;;
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ while getopts "v:b:p:a:i:f" opt; do
         a) APP_NAMED_ID="$OPTARG" ;;
         i) BUILD_CRYPTO_PLUGINS=1 ;;
         f) BUILD_ISAR_FROM_SOURCE=1 ;;
+        s) USE_SYSTEM_SECURE_STORAGE_DEPS=1 ;;
         *) usage ;;
     esac
 done
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ set -x
 source "${APP_PROJECT_ROOT_DIR}/scripts/app_config/templates/configure_template_files.sh"
 
 export BUILD_ISAR_FROM_SOURCE
+export USE_SYSTEM_SECURE_STORAGE_DEPS
 
 # checks for the correct platform dir and pushes it for later
 if printf '%s\0' "${APP_PLATFORMS[@]}" | grep -Fxqz -- "${APP_BUILD_PLATFORM}"; then
diff --git a/scripts/linux/build_secure_storage_deps.sh b/scripts/linux/build_secure_storage_deps.sh
index 737508ab0..e84572bca 100755
--- a/scripts/linux/build_secure_storage_deps.sh
+++ b/scripts/linux/build_secure_storage_deps.sh
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/bash
+
+if [ "${USE_SYSTEM_SECURE_STORAGE_DEPS:-0}" = "1" ]; then
+    echo "USE_SYSTEM_SECURE_STORAGE_DEPS is set; skipping build of jsoncpp and libsecret (using system packages)"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
 LINUX_DIRECTORY=$(pwd)
 JSONCPP_TAG=1.7.4
 LIBSECRET_TAG=0.21.4