diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 03ffbc9..2374b00 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -469,4 +469,6 @@
   link_with : libflashrom.get_static_lib(), # flashrom needs internal symbols of libflashrom
 )
 
-subdir('util')
+if get_option('ich_descriptors_tool').auto() or get_option('ich_descriptors_tool').enabled()
+  subdir('util/ich_descriptors_tool')
+endif