diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 682b3e5c..8d6b16e5 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -281,4 +281,6 @@ if get_option('tests').enabled()
 endif
 
 # install helper sripts
-subdir('bin')
+if get_option('mangoplot').enabled()
+  subdir('bin')
+endif
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index 5f7d11bd..a45dca8e 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ option('mangoapp', type: 'boolean', value : false)
 option('mangohudctl', type: 'boolean', value : false)
 option('mangoapp_layer', type: 'boolean', value : false)
 option('tests', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Run tests')
+option('mangoplot', type: 'feature', value: 'enabled')