diff --git a/example/meson.build b/example/meson.build
index 044d3a9..957c01d 100644
--- a/example/meson.build
+++ b/example/meson.build
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@
     dependencies: sdbusplus_dep,
 )
 
+assert(
+    not get_option('examples').enabled() or boost_dep.found(),
+    'Boost is required when examples are enabled'
+)
+
 executable(
     'asio-example',
     'asio-example.cpp',