diff --git a/packages/protocol/src/utils/index.ts b/packages/protocol/src/utils/index.ts
index 0bb9e30c..9ba54bb5 100644
--- a/packages/protocol/src/utils/index.ts
+++ b/packages/protocol/src/utils/index.ts
@@ -17,5 +17,7 @@ export * from './array-util';
 export * from './di-util';
 export * from './disposable';
 export * from './event';
-export * from './test-util';
+// we do not export test-util to avoid a dependency on test frameworks such as chai
+// however, adopters can still access the file by accessing it through the complete path
+// export * from './test-util';
 export * from './type-util';