diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/builder/ParserOptions.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/builder/ParserOptions.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/builder/ParserOptions.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/builder/ParserOptions.py
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@
         type=str,
         choices=sorted(_find_build_scripts().keys()),
         help='test builder to use')
+    build_group.add_argument('--vs-solution', metavar="<file>",
+        help='provide a path to an already existing visual studio solution.')
     parser.add_argument(
         '--cflags', type=str, default='', help='compiler flags')
     parser.add_argument('--ldflags', type=str, default='', help='linker flags')
diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerBase.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerBase.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerBase.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerBase.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
         self._interface = None
         self.has_loaded = False
         self._loading_error = NotYetLoadedDebuggerException()
+        self.init_success = False
         try:
             self._interface = self._load_interface()
             self.has_loaded = True
@@ -41,8 +42,9 @@
         try:
             self._custom_init()
             self.clear_breakpoints()
-        except DebuggerException:
-            self._loading_error = sys.exc_info()
+            self.init_success = True
+        except DebuggerException as e:
+            self._loading_error = e.msg
         return self
 
     def __exit__(self, *args):
@@ -64,7 +66,7 @@
 
     @property
     def loading_error(self):
-        return (str(self._loading_error[1])
+        return (str(self._loading_error)
                 if self._loading_error is not None else None)
 
     @property
diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerControllers/DebuggerControllerBase.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerControllers/DebuggerControllerBase.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerControllers/DebuggerControllerBase.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/DebuggerControllers/DebuggerControllerBase.py
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@
         """
         self.debugger = debugger
         with self.debugger:
-            self._run_debugger_custom()
+            if self.debugger.init_success:
+                self._run_debugger_custom()
+            else:
+                raise Exception(self.debugger.loading_error)
         # We may need to pickle this debugger controller after running the
         # debugger. Debuggers are not picklable objects, so set to None.
         self.debugger = None
diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/visualstudio/VisualStudio.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/visualstudio/VisualStudio.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/visualstudio/VisualStudio.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/debugger/visualstudio/VisualStudio.py
@@ -67,6 +67,23 @@
 
         super(VisualStudio, self).__init__(*args)
 
+    def _create_solution(self):
+        self._solution.Create(self.context.working_directory.path,
+                              'DexterSolution')
+        try:
+            self._solution.AddFromFile(self._project_file)
+        except OSError:
+            raise LoadDebuggerException(
+                'could not debug the specified executable', sys.exc_info())
+
+    def _load_solution(self):
+        try:
+            self._solution.Open(self.context.options.vs_solution)
+        except:
+            raise LoadDebuggerException(
+                    'could not load specified vs solution at {}'.
+                    format(self.context.options.vs_solution), sys.exc_info())
+
     def _custom_init(self):
         try:
             self._debugger = self._interface.Debugger
@@ -76,14 +93,10 @@
                 self.context.options.show_debugger)
 
             self._solution = self._interface.Solution
-            self._solution.Create(self.context.working_directory.path,
-                                  'DexterSolution')
-
-            try:
-                self._solution.AddFromFile(self._project_file)
-            except OSError:
-                raise LoadDebuggerException(
-                    'could not debug the specified executable', sys.exc_info())
+            if self.context.options.vs_solution is None:
+                self._create_solution()
+            else:
+                self._load_solution()
 
             self._fn_step = self._debugger.StepInto
             self._fn_go = self._debugger.Go
diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/TestToolBase.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/TestToolBase.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/TestToolBase.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/TestToolBase.py
@@ -58,7 +58,12 @@
             warn(self.context, '--cflags and --ldflags will be ignored when not'
                                ' using --builder')
 
-        if options.binary:
+        if options.vs_solution:
+            options.vs_solution = os.path.abspath(options.vs_solution)
+            if not os.path.isfile(options.vs_solution):
+                raise Error('<d>could not find VS solution file</> <r>"{}"</>'
+                            .format(options.vs_solution))
+        elif options.binary:
             options.binary = os.path.abspath(options.binary)
             if not os.path.isfile(options.binary):
                 raise Error('<d>could not find binary file</> <r>"{}"</>'
diff --git a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/test/Tool.py
 b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/test/Tool.py
--- a/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/test/Tool.py
+++ b/cross-project-tests/debuginfo-tests/dexter/dex/tools/test/Tool.py
@@ -108,9 +108,13 @@
         """Build an executable from the test source with the given --builder
         script and flags (--cflags, --ldflags) in the working directory.
         Or, if the --binary option has been given, copy the executable provided
-        into the working directory and rename it to match the --builder output.
+        into the working directory and rename it to match the --builder output
+        or skip if --vs-solution was passed on the command line.
         """
 
+        if self.context.options.vs_solution:
+            return
+
         options = self.context.options
         if options.binary:
             # Copy user's binary into the tmp working directory