diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 9aa26bc..c1c7f97 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -207,19 +207,21 @@
     filepaths += [file]
 endforeach
 
-validate_script = files('scripts/validate_configs.py')
-autojson = custom_target(
-  'check_syntax',
-  command: [
-    validate_script,
-    '-v',
-    '-k',
-  ],
-  depend_files: files(filepaths),
-  build_by_default: true,
-  capture: true,
-  output: 'validate_configs.log',
-)
+if get_option('validate-json')
+    validate_script = files('scripts/validate_configs.py')
+    autojson = custom_target(
+      'check_syntax',
+      command: [
+        validate_script,
+        '-v',
+        '-k',
+      ],
+      depend_files: files(filepaths),
+      build_by_default: true,
+      capture: true,
+      output: 'validate_configs.log',
+    )
+endif
 
 schemas = [
     'global.json',