diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index a61d3e9b06..576bc2fdbd 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1781,8 +1781,10 @@ if gnutls.found()
   tasn1 = dependency('libtasn1',
                      method: 'pkg-config')
 endif
-keyutils = dependency('libkeyutils', required: false,
-                      method: 'pkg-config')
+keyutils = not_found
+if get_option('keyring').enabled()
+  keyutils = dependency('libkeyutils', required: false, method: 'pkg-config')
+endif
 
 has_gettid = cc.has_function('gettid')