diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 508a5dea..98b707eb 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -244,7 +244,9 @@ subdir('plugins/notify')
 subdir('plugins/pip')
 subdir('plugins/template')
 subdir('plugins/zoom')
-subdir('docs')
+if get_option('documentation')
+	subdir('docs')
+endif
 subdir('po')
 
 meson.add_install_script('build-aux/meson/post_install.py')
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..40cbe09b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+option ('documentation', type : 'boolean', value : false)