diff --git a/changelog.d/2505.misc.rst b/changelog.d/2505.misc.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11c642e778
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/2505.misc.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Disable inclusion of package data as it causes 'tests' to be included as data.
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 4eb5018390..02d99530b7 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ project_urls =
 [options]
 packages = find:
 py_modules = easy_install
-include_package_data = true
+# disabled as it causes tests to be included #2505
+# include_package_data = true
 python_requires = >=3.6
 install_requires =