diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 7097a9fb..666c0dd0 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ if true
     )
 endif
 
-if true
+if get_option('niri')
     add_project_arguments('-DHAVE_NIRI', language: 'cpp')
     src_files += files(
         'src/modules/niri/backend.cpp',
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index fef50839..303ef038 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -19,3 +19,4 @@ option('experimental', type : 'boolean', value : false, description: 'Enable exp
 option('jack', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Enable support for JACK')
 option('wireplumber', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Enable support for WirePlumber')
 option('cava', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', description: 'Enable support for Cava')
+option('niri', type: 'boolean', description: 'Enable support for niri')