diff --git a/docs/meson.build b/docs/meson.build
index 55ba7c83..718c24bb 100644
--- a/docs/meson.build
+++ b/docs/meson.build
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-pandoc = find_program('pandoc', required: false)
+pandoc = find_program('pandoc', required: get_option('man-pages'))
 
 sections = ['.1', '-config.5', '-theme.5', '-actions.5']
 
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index d34c6170..d64f510c 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
+option('man-pages', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Generate and install man pages')
 option('xwayland', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Enable support for X11 applications')