diff --git a/ext/opencv/meson.build b/ext/opencv/meson.build
index 9900d8a65b..4cb6affa30 100644
--- a/ext/opencv/meson.build
+++ b/ext/opencv/meson.build
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+if get_option('opencv').disabled()
+  subdir_done()
+endif
+
 gstopencv_sources = [
   'gstcvdilate.cpp',
   'gstcvdilateerode.cpp',
@@ -110,4 +114,6 @@ if opencv_found
     install_dir : plugins_install_dir,
   )
   pkgconfig.generate(gstopencv, install_dir : plugins_pkgconfig_install_dir)
+elif get_option('opencv').enabled()
+  error('OpenCV support enabled but required dependencies were not found.')
 endif