diff --git a/AutomatedTesting/EngineFinder.cmake b/AutomatedTesting/EngineFinder.cmake
index a7dbf671fd..fbbe3d8cfe 100644
--- a/AutomatedTesting/EngineFinder.cmake
+++ b/AutomatedTesting/EngineFinder.cmake
@@ -61,5 +61,8 @@ if(EXISTS ${manifest_path})
         endif()
     endforeach()
 else()
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "Engine registration is required before configuring a project.  Please register an engine by running 'scripts/o3de register --this-engine'")
+    # If the user is passing CMAKE_MODULE_PATH we assume thats where we will find the engine
+    if(NOT CMAKE_MODULE_PATH)
+        message(FATAL_ERROR "Engine registration is required before configuring a project.  Please register an engine by running 'scripts/o3de register --this-engine'")
+    endif()
 endif()