diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 759d836..7882d89 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
         'cpp_std=c++20',
         'warning_level=3',
         'werror=true',
+        'generate_md=' + (meson.is_subproject() ? 'false' : 'true'),
     ],
     version: '1.0.0',
 )
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@
     output: 'md',
     capture: true,
     depends: generated_others,
-    build_by_default: true)
+    build_by_default: get_option('generate_md'))
 
 generated_files_headers = []
 generated_files_cpp = []
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index 929055d..aa06d2e 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+option('generate_md', type: 'boolean', value: true)
 option('libphosphor_dbus', type: 'boolean', value: true)
 option('data_com_ibm', type: 'boolean', value: false)
 option('data_org_open_power', type: 'boolean', value: false)